By Devon Bates and Ally Bolender
News Reporter and News Content Manager

SAN MARCOS, TX– Texas State University Chief Medical Officer, Emilio Carranco, released a COVID-19 update on October 8 regarding the University’s increase in testing capacity and decline of COVID-19 cases on campus.

During the first week of testing, 1,074 PCR tests were performed with 18 positive results for a 1.7% positivity rate, according to the update. The World Health Organization states that a positivity rate of 5% or lower is an indication of sufficient testing.

The update also stated that contact tracing through Bobcat Trace has not revealed any evidence of COVID-19 transmission in classrooms. 

Texas State University will continue their partnership with Hays County Emergency Services, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Curative Inc. to bring free COVID-19 testing to the San Marcos campus.

The on-campus kiosk is available for all current Texas State University students, faculty and staff. The testing kiosk is located at Flowers hall.

Testing is held on Mondays through Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.. Schedule an appointment or call the University Student Health Center at 512-245-2161 for more information.

Texas State’s COVID-19 Dashboard provides the university community with positive and active case counts that are updated regularly. As of October 14, there are 59 active cases.