Fall 2021 Campus Testing Statistics
This page is an archive of Fall 2021 test results. For the latest information, visit the Testing Statistics page.
Important note as of December 23, 2021
Over the past week Oberlin experienced a spike in COVID cases, mirroring trends across the nation. In response, we are changing our testing protocols following Winter Break (see the most recent ObieSafe FAQ for details), and will revise how testing numbers are reported here accordingly.
In the interim, we wish to report that as of 11:00 a.m. today, December 23, there have been 158 positive cases in the past 7 days, both in our own college testing (PCR and rapid antigen tests), and self reports.
Weekly Coronavirus Test Results
Oberlin College and Conservatory
Fall 2021 Semester
Click on a column for weekly details.
Note: the first bar represents the period from August 9 through September 19. The remaining bars each represent a single week.
Cumulative Total
| Tests Administered | 5,263 |
|---|---|
| Positive Tests | 35 |
| % Positive | 0.67% |
| Hospitalizations | 0 |
Test results include PCR tests conducted via Oberlin’s testing protocol only.
Positive Cases Identified by Outside Testing
Previous Notices
From 12/6 - 12/12, the ObieSafe team was notified of 4 positive cases from testing outside of Oberlin.
From November 29 to December 5, the ObieSafe team was notified of 5 positive cases from testing outside of Oberlin.
From November 15-28, the ObieSafe team was notified of 0 positive cases identified by outside testing.
From November 8 - 14, the ObieSafe team was notified of 0 positive cases identified by outside testing.
From November 2 - 7, the ObieSafe team was notified of 4 positive cases identified by outside testing.
From October 21 to November 1, the ObieSafe team was notified of 16 positive cases identified by outside testing.
Oberlin regularly reports data derived from the college’s COVID-19 PCR testing program only. Faculty, staff, and students sometimes decide to test at outside healthcare facilities, retail pharmacy stores, or via self-administered tests for a number of reasons. These tests can be either PCR or rapid antigen tests, and while members of the campus community are required to notify us of positive results from outside testing, we do not receive reports of negative results. Without direct access to validate these tests or their results, we cannot incorporate this data into our statistics.
About the Data
Except where noted, the data reported above are derived from Oberlin’s COVID-19 PCR testing program:
- Arrival testing for all students, faculty, staff, and vendors
- Weekly testing of unvaccinated students, faculty, staff, and vendors
- Testing of those who are symptomatic or exposed to a positive person
- Testing for travel for educational purposes
Testing began on August 9, 2021. Weekly and cumulative results are updated every Tuesday. Data reflects PCR test administration only.
Oberlin’s Approach to Testing
Before vaccinations were available, the fundamental goal of the ObieSafe protocols was to keep Oberlin’s campus safe by slowing the spread of a virus for which there was little defense.
This year, the fundamental goal is to protect the most vulnerable among us – those who are unvaccinated or who have someone at home who is vulnerable. The ObieSafe data below now reflects cumulative results from testing of unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff, people preparing for Oberlin-related travel, or someone who develops symptoms at Oberlin and is tested on campus.
The relatively low numbers of tests administered this year will not provide the snapshot that the data last year provided. We anticipate that there will be COVID infections on campus but that the risk of serious illness will remain low. If the number of cases increase, Oberlin will work with the Lorain County Public Health Department to determine if additional measures are needed.
The last week of data reporting for fall 2021 will be 11/16/21, concurrent with Thanksgiving break.
Testing outside of Oberlin
These results are self-reported and are not verified by the College. This data is monitored and analyzed for patterns but is not included in this data.