NORFOLK, Va. - Melbin Roy headed into the Student Health Center at ODU, looking for some peace of mind.
"I just want to get tested to make sure I'm all clear," he tells the doctor.
Roy is getting a COVID-19 exit test offered by ODU this week, to ensure he doesn't take the virus home with him during his Thanksgiving travels.
"Our students have been living in a community with their peers and many of our students are returning home to adults and small children and grandparents," said Don Stansberry, with Student Engagement and Enrollment Services. "Since they are going back into that environment into our community we want them to be as safe as possible."
The test is free and results are available in less than 48 hours. "If they do test positive and they live on campus then they will be staying with us through the holiday," said Stansberry.
Since July, ODU has performed more than 7,000 COVID-19 tests, approximately 6,800 were negative and 187 were positive, as of Monday.
It is a simple procedure students say is vital since many are seeing their families for the first time this semester.
"It is one thing to not see your family for one year, but it's another thing to not see your family for the rest of your life," said Danielle Carter, a senior.
Students at ODU will not return to campus after fall break. The rest of the semester will be virtual.