Culver-Stockton College COVID-19 Testing Results

September 04, 2020

COVID-19 tests were given to more than 830 students who arrived on the Culver-Stockton College campus this month, and a 1.5 percent rate of positive tests as of Thursday, Aug. 27 is a “very manageable rate,” said Dr. Douglas B. Palmer, president of Culver-Stockton.

Students taking online or off-campus classes were not required to be tested.

Testing of students began at C-SC on Thursday, Aug. 13, and continue through the check-in period. All students who tested positive for COVID-19 are placed into isolation for 10 days. C-SC has a residence hall on campus designated for isolated students. Students with whom there was close contact are in quarantine in their room on campus for 14 days, as determined by C-SC’s COVID-19 protocol.

“I know this is disappointing for these students,” Palmer said. “I have talked with a few of them, and I am impressed by their understanding and flexibility.”

The Lewis County Department of Public Health is directing the next steps for students who have tested positive for the virus. All students in isolation or quarantine are supported and monitored by C-SC staff. No more details will be released about those students to maintain their privacy.

Test processing was completed by Clinical Reference Laboratory of Lenexa, Kan. The test used was a CRL Rapid Response test, a saliva-based non-invasive molecular test approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The tests were self-administered by the students while under supervision in small groups by employees, who were under the guidance of members of the Culver-Stockton athletic training staff.

C-SC paid for the tests. There was no extra cost to the students. 

In-person classes started at Culver-Stockton on Monday, Aug. 24.

C-SC is reporting all positive test results to the Lewis County Health Department. Students who were tested after Aug. 16 used their college address and will be counted in Lewis County totals.

“We want to assure everyone that we are working closely with Culver-Stockton to provide guidance and follow up,” the Lewis County Health Department wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “We feel Culver-Stockton is doing a great job at identifying, isolating and quarantining students. They are taking proper precautions to keep students and the community safe.”

Palmer says a team of leaders is working to make decisions based on the latest and best information available to protect the safety of students, faculty and staff. This group is in regular contact with the Lewis County Department of Public Health.

“I have full confidence that we will continue to follow our guidelines: wearing masks in public spaces, social distancing, frequent hand washing, etc.,” Palmer said. “I am so proud of this community. We will continue to rise to the occasion, do the right things and look out for one another. We will show everyone what it means to be a part of the Wildcat Family.”