Northeastern to test students for coronavirus every three days

Northeastern University has increased its Covid-19 testing requirements for its students in Boston from every five days to every three days - after the students finish a round of three tests in their first five days back in the city.

Professors and other staffers who come onto campus will be required to get a Covid-19 test twice a week. Samples are being analyzed in a testing lab the school has set up at its Burlington campus; the tests themselves are self administered and less invasive than the back-of-nose ones more typical in community health centers.

The university says the increased testing is "a move designed to promote safety on the Boston campus and in the surrounding communities." Earlier this month, City Councilor Kenzie Bok, who represents the Fenway and Mission Hill, had asked Northeastern to keep its students home because of the risk to nearby residents.

Harvard is requiring students who live on campus to get tested three times a week as well, but other students - and staffers - are only "encouraged" to get tested at least once a week. However, Harvard is mostly only allowing freshmen to come to Harvard this fall - and they are required to live in campus.

Northeastern Covid-19 dashboard.