2nd MoH COVID-19 testing program at KAUST—Participation mandatory for 18+
The first MoH COVID-19 Screening Program was held in November and resulted in 5,059 individual tests being completed across five testing days. Though this level of participation was welcome and very helpful to our ongoing mitigation measures, we want to achieve a considerably higher level of participation in the second round of MoH testing in order to Keep KAUST Safe.
We believe we can achieve a considerable improvement in participation levels of dependents and domestic helpers. This is important in Keeping KAUST Safe, because we know from community testing that there are asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in KAUST that can unknowingly spread the virus to others in our community. To help achieve full participation in the second round of MoH testing, and to provide our best effort in Keeping KAUST Safe, we have made participation mandatory.
Participation in the MoH COVID-19 Screening Program is MANDATORY for:
- ALL KAUST residents aged 18 years and over, including all KAUST employees, students, domestic helpers, drivers, service providers, contractors, etc.
- All employees and graduate students living and working in the Kingdom and outside of KAUST
To be compliant, all KAUST employees and students must register themselves and their dependents in the booking system and either book a time slot or enter an exemption reason.
For more details about the program, how to make a booking and FAQs, please visit the COVID-19 Screening Program page on the Health, Safety & Environment website.
Register your COVID-19 vaccination interest through the Sehhaty app
Everyone in the KAUST community age 16 and over is strongly encouraged to register for the free COVID-19 vaccine through the MoH Sehhaty app (Android / iOS).
President Chan set the trend on December 31 by getting the first of two doses of the vaccine. Since then, community members have followed his steps, in their own capacity. The general feedback about the Jeddah regional vaccination center, located at the King Abdulaziz International Airport South Terminal, is very positive.
Nearly one million people have already registered for the COVID-19 vaccine through the MoH Sehhaty app. It is important to register now to be notified when the vaccine is available for you according to the prioritization system.
Don’t wait!Register your interest to get the free MOH COVID-19 vaccine now on the Sehhaty app (Android / iOS).
Read more about registering your vaccination interest here.
January 10 COVID-19 update
Two individuals, residing at KAUST, showed symptoms and presented to KAUST Health to be tested.
One of the cases is from the same household as a previous positive case.All contact tracing has been completed and relevant persons are currently in quarantine.
The 14-day positivity rate* at KAUST is currently unavailable.**
We’d like to thank all community members for practicing physical distancing, the wearing of face coverings, hand washing and adherence to the Keeping KAUST Safe guidelines.
If you have symptoms, please stay home and call KAUST Health at 012 808 0940.
* Positivity rate = % of positive tests returned from the total number of tests taken during a 14-day period. Excludes where the result is still pending or the swab was rejected.
** This rate will only be displayed if the number of tests conducted achieves a significant threshold (724 tests). Over the past 14-day period, 210 tests were conducted, which explains the unavailability of the positivity rate, as it is not statistically significant.
Antibody testing summary
The COVID-19 Antibody Testing event held in December 2020 was a great success with nearly 3,000 participants from KAUST. Of those tested, 9.1% were positive for antibodies.
What does 9% antibody positivity mean for KAUST?
The purpose of the antibody test is to reveal previous exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Compared to the 1.4% overall prevalence of the COVID-19 active infection cases detected in KAUST during the pandemic, it is estimated that we have had about six times more infections that went undetected, most of them being asymptomatic.This number attests to the success of the Keeping KAUST Safe measures: in over five months after lifting the lockdown, we still have less than 10% of KAUST exposed to the virus.
What does testing positive for antibodies mean?
Although our level of antibody positive results can be considered low, the KAUST population should remain vigilant and continue to follow the Keeping KAUST Safe guidelines. Those who tested positive on the antibody test were presumed to be virus carriers at some point and could have infected others, even though they were asymptomatic.
Why getting the COVID-19 vaccine is important
The fact that about 90% of the KAUST community has not been exposed to the virus brings up the importance of registering for the free COVID-19 vaccine through the Sehhaty app to get an appointment when the vaccine becomes available.
More facts and figures about antibody testing here
See the most up-to-date information about KAUST COVID-19 cases anytime by clicking on the button below or visiting – hse.kaust.edu.sa
Where to turn when you need to know
- Facilities Management – 012 (808) 0959 or email FCHelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa
- Human Resources – 012 (808) 2055 or email HRHelpdesk@kaust.edu.sa
- Health, Safety & Environment – visit the website
- Graduate Affairs – 012 (808) 3412 or graduateservices@kaust.edu.sa
- KAUST Health – 012 (808) 0940 or visit the KAUST Health website
- Wellness services – visit the Health, Safety and Environment website
