70,000 free antigen tests being provided to TUS students
More than 70,000 antigen tests are being given to students at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) this month.
TUS began handing out the antigen tests to students last Thursday morning (January 13) on its Athlone campus which reopened last week.
Students on TUS's Midwest campuses (Moylish, LSAD, Thurles, Clonmel and Ennis) will receive free antigen kits from today, when semester two commences.
Under the scheme, each student will receive five tests to help manage the spread of the current variant of Covid-19.
The scheme forms part of the government's €9 million fund to make antigen testing easily accessible to third-level students.
"The availability of antigen tests on campus is part of our arsenal of measures to protect students and ensure they can continue their studies on site for semester two," explained TUS President, Professor Vincent Cunnane.
"While our students have been excellent in observing public health guidance and complying with on-campus health and safety protocols, the current strain of Covid-19, though less virulent, is particularly transmissible.
"Rapid antigen testing is a simple self-test for Covid-19, with results available in just 15 minutes; it's an extra layer of protection on top of current health measures and practices that will help students monitor their health and protect themselves and others," he said.
Vice President for Student Education and Experience at TUS, Frances O'Connell, added: "This initiative ensures students can check that they are Covid-19 free, and by so doing, ensure their immediate safety, and that of their families, friends, and our TUS community.
"Antigen testing is integral to ensuring our campuses can continue to remain open for students this semester and to get the maximum benefit from their university education, which includes a robust student experience on campus."
The initiative is being put in place with the assistance of the TUS students’ union.
Students' union president, Áine Daly, said: "Students having access to free antigen tests on campus is of huge benefit to our student body and our society as a whole.
"This will ensure that everyone can follow the government guidelines by taking a test when it's required, if showing symptoms, or as a weekly measure as a precaution to stay ahead of this pandemic."
Students at TUS's Athlone campus can collect their antigen testing kits from the students' union, the university library and the engineering building atrium.
In the early part of last week, more than 210 students and staff received their booster vaccinations at a HSE pop-up clinic on the technological university’s Athlone campus.