The coronavirus pandemic has brought a plethora of new measures to Harvardâs campus, including social distancing, mask wearing, and avoiding in-person gatherings. Among the most disruptive is leaving campus for isolation housing upon testing positive for the coronavirus.
Consistent with the fall semester, students living on campus self-administer three polymerase chain reaction tests â known as PCR tests â per week using kits designed by Color Genomics, a health and technology company. Students then drop off their tests in designated gray bins around campus. The Broad Institute processes their test kits, and Color Genomics notifies students of their test results on the companyâs online portal, often within a day.