All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Fairmont State University continues surveillance testing program

In response to a mandate by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, Fairmont State University launched its spring semester COVID-19 surveillance testing program on Tuesday, February 2. The testing group comprised of 10 percent of the on-campus student population, including students residing on campus, attending in-person instruction or using campus facilities throughout the spring semester.

Saliva-based tests were self-administered by students between Tuesday, February 2 and Wednesday, February 3, identifying five positive cases. Stratified samples will be selected within the on-campus student population for testing on a weekly basis, with the University’s COVID-19 surveillance testing program concluding prior to finals week.

Students are selected and tested for COVID-19, regardless of a known exposure. The random selection method enables the University to make inferences about the level of spread within the campus population and identify asymptomatic cases for quarantine.

The surveillance testing initiative is part of the University’s multi-pronged strategy to mitigate and monitor the spread of COVID-19. The purpose of this testing program is to allow the University to monitor and address real-time trends and prevalence and make timely decisions on intervention and response.

Fairmont State has moved quickly in distributing all COVID-19 vaccines provided by the state, and will continue to administer doses as they become available. The University recognizes providing vaccinations to the campus community is essential to slow the spread of the coronavirus and fight the ongoing pandemic. As of Friday, February 5, the University has administered 375 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 88 individuals have been fully vaccinated.

In addition to vaccine distribution, other efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 will continue on campus including practicing proper hand hygiene, social distancing, masking and more. These safety measures will be required of all students and employees until further notice.
  
The  University COVID task force will continue to process COVID test results as they are received and actively monitor all cases on campus  with the assistance of the Marion County Health Department.  Individuals testing positive during both  on  and off-campus testing continue to be quarantined.  As requested, the University will continue to work with the Marion County Health Department to complete investigations and contact tracing for positive cases connected with Fairmont State.
  
Test results and vaccination doses distributed will be shared on the University’s Coronavirus Dashboard. To learn more about Fairmont State surveillance testing processes, visit fairmontstate.edu/coronavirus/surveillance-testing-program.  

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

BUHS Girls Soccer Feature Image

Kelley calls soccer camp a success, has sights on leading B-U girls program to new heights

Logan Kelley, newly named head coach of the Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc soccer team, helped oversee a successful youth camp and aims to bring stability and new achievements to the girls program.

Wesleyan professor collecting first-hand accounts, photos to commemorate 1985 flood

A West Virginia Wesleyan College professor and librarian are collecting first-hand stories and photos from the 1985 flood to create an anniversary exhibit preserving campus and community memories of the disaster.

Pizza shop worker arrested for using customer credit card info to gamble online

A pizza shop employee was arrested after allegedly taking a customer’s credit card information from a food order and using it to make unauthorized bets totaling $300 on an online gambling site.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur to hold blood drive on August 15

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur will host a blood and food drive on August 15 at the Event Center at Brushy Fork, offering incentives for blood donors.

Buckhannon Water Board Agenda: July 10, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Water Board’s agenda for its July 10, 2025, meeting has been released by My Buckhannon.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: July 10, 2025

Here is the agenda for the Upshur County Commission meeting scheduled for July 10, 2025.

Really Really Free Market and Community Potluck scheduled for Sunday, July 13

A community Really Really Free Market and potluck will be held Sunday, July 13, from 1–3 pm at Walnut and Chestnut streets, featuring free goods, services, food and opportunities to connect and volunteer.

Man arrested for attempted murder after allegedly attempting to run someone over in Walmart parking lot

Rayne Prince Marion Chuma was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to hit a man with his vehicle in the Buckhannon Walmart parking lot before leaving the scene.

Suspect held without bail in Brushy Fork Road robbery case

Bruno Martins Ferreira has been arrested and is being held without bail on felony robbery and conspiracy charges after allegedly participating in an armed robbery at a Brushy Fork Road residence, during which $12,000 was transferred from the victim’s bank account.