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SINGAPORE: Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will offer free COVID-19 testing to residents of its classroom as part of efforts to keep campus safe, it said in an email to students on Monday (December 7).
“To keep all hallway residents and the campus community safe, the University, in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, will offer COVID-19 swab testing to new and returning residents,” said the NTU President’s Office.
“Hall residents are strongly encouraged to do the swab test.
“This is part of the government’s efforts to expand the COVID-19 testing regimen to selected community groups.”
NTU said the tests will help them “better monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 and quickly contain any asymptomatic cases in the community,” particularly in a communal living setting that “may pose an increased risk of community transmission.”
Tryouts will take place on campus from January 4-15 next year, and new and returning residents can reserve their spaces online from now until December 18.
To be eligible to book a test, hallway residents must not be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or serving quarantine, stay-at-home notice, or leave of absence.
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“The COVID-19 test will use rapid antigen testing (ART). ART involves a nasal swab from the lower part of the nose,” the NTU said.
“Hall residents who test positive for ART will require a separate confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to determine if they are infected with COVID-19.”
While waiting for the PCR results, residents should isolate themselves and minimize exposure to others.
“Those with confirmed COVID-19 cases will be transported by ambulance to an appropriate care facility and receive medical treatment under NTU’s student insurance scheme,” NTU said.
Additionally, NTU’s Graduate Hall 1 will open as a temporary isolation facility for “any full-time student who needs a temporary place to stay if it is necessary for him to isolate himself.”
This will be provided at no cost to those who do not have a local residence or whose homes are not suitable for self-isolation, while they await the result of their PCR swab test.
CNA has contacted NTU and the Ministry of Education for more information.
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