Wellesley College Tests 400 Students; 1 Positive For Coronavirus

WELLESLEY, MA — Wellesley College started welcoming students back to campus this week, performing on-campus coronavirus testing to students moving in. The college administered 400 COVID-19 tests and announced on Thursday that one came back positive.

The student who tested positive was "quickly isolated" and officials started the contact tracing process. The school did not release details about the student for privacy reasons.

In a letter to the community on Thursday, Wellesley College President Paula A. Johnson said the school's testing program yielded almost 400 negative tests and that the first group of students from high-incidence areas are still quarantined at a hotel.

"This situation has shown me that our systems are working—and it has also highlighted the need for all members of our on-campus community to consistently and continuously do their part," Johnson said.

The town of Wellesley has 261 total COVID-19 cases.

According to Wellesley College's website, the school has 2,350 students enrolled. This year, the college implemented procedures and rules to limit and prevent the spread of the virus, including mandatory masks. In order to be cleared to work on campus or go to class, faculty/staff and students will be required to log symptoms into a daily health-check app. The app is also required to be checked every day before students leave their home or residence hall room.