Harvard University-wide COVID-19 Testing Dashboard
The Harvard University-wide COVID-19 Testing Dashboard shares data from regular screening put in place as part of the University’s health and safety protocols. Only a limited number of students and personnel are authorized to be on campus, as the majority of Harvard’s community continues to work and learn remotely. The Dashboard data is relative to individuals, living both on and off campus, authorized to participate in Harvard’s COVID-19 screening.1
Individuals authorized to participate in Harvard’s COVID-19 screening are tested regularly (see testing protocols). The data reflected below is not combined with other testing sources or providers. The University will share additional information as data availability expands.
All data is as of 9:30 am today
Note: On January 25, The Broad Institute upgraded its Covid PCR test system to allow higher capacity and more comprehensive analysis. After 2 weeks of data collection, they worked with the MA Department of Public Health and adjusted the interpretation thresholds for calling tests “positive.” Covid PCR tests can detect very low viral presence even when a person is not infectious. The adjustment prevents the test from being overly sensitive. Harvard was one of many affected institutions. The adjustment only affected a small number (26) of Harvard tests done from 1/25 to 2/5, and these were changed from positive to invalid/inconclusive. This does not mean those results were negative, so repeat testing was advised. Most tests reported as positive from 1/25 to 2/5 continued to be positive after the adjustment and were not changed. Test results prior to and after this time frame were not changed. The University remains confident in the efficacy of The Broad Institute’s COVID-19 test results. This dashboard has been updated to reflect the change in case counts.
New Positive Cases - Last 7 Days
406,092
Total tests conducted
89,437
Total undergraduate student tests
119,171
Total graduate student tests
197,484
Total faculty, staff, or other affiliates tests7
Footnotes:
- Individuals authorized to participate in Harvard’s COVID-19 screening, include: those individuals authorized to be on campus; those who are authorized to participate in the University’s off-campus undergraduate pilot program; and, any off-campus individuals who, based on contact tracing activities, are invited to be screened due to possible exposure to another Harvard community member known to have the virus.
- “Total tests” is cumulative and includes repeat tests that are required of students, faculty, staff, and other affiliates who are authorized to be on campus.
- Harvard positivity rate is calculated based on valid tests completed among the tested population, and currently reflects the positivity rate among the asymptomatic screening the University is conducting. The percent positive rate for Harvard is reflective of protocols established for regular screening and not based on testing only after an individual experiences symptoms.
- Isolation data reflects isolations among those individuals authorized to live on campus or be on campus for a work or academic purpose, and includes both individuals isolating within Harvard facilities and those directed to isolate within their home.
- Quarantine data includes all persons followed for quarantine by Harvard contact tracing program; in addition to quarantined persons who are authorized to be on Harvard’s campus, this may also include close contacts who are Harvard community members but who do not usually come to campus.
- “Graduate Students” and “Undergraduate Students” includes students who are eligible to participate in Harvard’s testing program; this includes students living in dorm-style housing, those working in labs, and those authorized to be on campus for more than four hours a week for an academic or work purpose.
- “Faculty, Staff, and Other Affiliates” includes faculty, academic and non-academic staff, and others (such as contractors) who are eligible to participate in Harvard’s testing program; this includes faculty or staff performing essential work, living on campus, or authorized to be on campus for more than 4 hours per week.
- State and local data reflect tests conducted in these geographic communities and include persons who have symptoms or have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID.
- Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Heath
Notes:
- Cumulative data reflects Harvard’s initiation of protocols in early June for regular screening through COVID-19 testing in conjunction with the re-opening of science laboratory facilities under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ phased re-opening plan.
- As stated above, Harvard data reflects results of mandatory screening for persons who are authorized to be on Harvard’s campus and who do not report COVID symptoms.
- Data are presented according to the date tests are administered. Counts for most recent dates may be incomplete, but will be updated as results are reported.
- Data regarding isolation and quarantine is subject to change based on ongoing contact tracing investigations.
- This dashboard is informational only, and is not intended to be used as public health guidance.