App State requiring weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University is now requiring weekly COVID-19 tests for unvaccinated students, according to an email from Chancellor Sheri Everts.

According to the chancellor’s email, the decision was made “to gain a more complete picture of the spread of COVID-19 on campus.”

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty was at the university’s mass testing site on campus Wednesday. University officials said they expect to administer about 5,000 COVID-19 tests Wednesday.

The mass testing site is directly in front of the Holmes Convocation Center on campus.

As of Wednesday, 52% of more than 20,000 students attending App State and 89% of employees are fully vaccinated. That means more than 9,000 students are unvaccinated, and are now required to get tested weekly for the virus.

Those who fail to get tested will be disciplined, the chancellor said.

Up to this point, the university was randomly testing unvaccinated students.

Students and faculty members told Channel 9 they support the chancellor’s decision to make the tests mandatory.

Those overseeing the COVID-19 testing expect to have results back by Wednesday night. By Thursday morning, students will know if they have tested positive for COVID-19.

(WATCH BELOW: App State says it’s not sharing vaccination status of students living in residence halls)

App State says it’s not sharing vaccination status of students living in residence halls

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