February 16, 2021

To the Dartmouth community,

When it comes to managing policies in this pandemic, we are constantly reminded that nothing stays the same. On that note, we'd like to update you regarding some recent changes this week related to COVID-19 testing and face coverings.

As of Monday, Feb. 15, the Broad Institute (our COVID-19 testing partner) has adjusted its testing protocol in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and has added a new result category: "inconclusive." In order to optimally balance the sensitivity and specificity of their PCR test, the Broad Institute will report a positive result only when both "probes" used in the test indicate a positive detection of COVID-19. When only one probe signals a positive result, the test will be deemed inconclusive and the person tested will be asked to retest as soon as possible. Both students and employees will be asked to isolate until the results of any repeat tests are received. Dartmouth College Health Service or Axiom will provide instructions for getting retested, as no one with an inconclusive or positive result should enter either of our testing sites.

Dartmouth has also updated surveillance testing information for employees with respect to COVID-19 tests that cannot be processed. For various reasons (not enough cells collected during swabbing, lab error, swabs inserted upside down in tubes, etc.), approximately 4% of all testing samples cannot be analyzed. When that happens, results will be returned to Axiom, which will contact the employee to arrange for retesting. You can find more details about these circumstances and other information at https://www.dartmouth.edu/hrs/covid/index.html#results.

Finally, last week we reiterated our policy that everyone on campus must wear a face covering. That policy remains in effect. The latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to show the importance of masking and of using a well-fitted face covering. That information is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html. You can also watch a video on how to make a surgical mask fit more tightly: http://dartgo.org/covidmaskfit.

We hope that you are feeling well and taking good care of yourself. Remember, spring is less than five weeks away!

Sincerely,