Clemson, MUSC set up COVID-19 testing for employees

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As Clemson University mandates all students, faculty and staff to report a negative COVID-19 test five days before returning to campus, the school is extending free testing for employees with assistance from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Staff and faculty required to return to campus before Aug. 1 will have the opportunity to participate in the free testing program from July 20 to July 22 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the parking lot of NewSpring Church at 13200 Clemson Blvd., according to a news release.

In the meantime, the university expects to announce COVID-19 protocol for students returning to campus after Aug. 1 aside from a five-day negative testing requirement, according to the news release. Those who test positive must self-isolate for 10 days before returning to any of Clemson’s campuses.

“Population testing provides the university with an overview of the initial scale and scope of the virus in our population, which will allow for us to both minimize the initial incidence as well as provide vital information to guide our population health surveillance practices throughout the semester,” David Sudduth, director of Healthy Me-Healthy SC, a health collaboration between Clemson and MUSC, said in the release.

The University of South Carolina is also offering on-campus diagnostic testing at the Columbia campus’ Center for Health and Well-Being throughout the week of July 20 but is not requiring a negative COVID-19 reading before returning to campus.