Frequently Asked Questions
Read our FAQs to clear your doubts about Covid-19 testing.
How often can I be tested for Covid-19 on campus?
We especially encourage those who have not been vaccinated to get tested weekly. The success of this coronavirus surveillance approach will depend on our asymptomatic population getting tested regularly.
What are the different types of tests?
There are two different types of testing – diagnostic tests and antibody tests.
- A diagnostic test can show if you have an active coronavirus infection and should take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others. Currently, there are two types of diagnostic tests – molecular (RT-PCR) tests that detect the virus’s genetic material, and antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. Samples are typically collected with a nasal or throat swab, or saliva collected by spitting into a tube.
- An antibody test looks for antibodies that are made by the immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus. Antibodies can help fight infections. Antibodies can take several days or weeks to develop after you have an infection and may stay in your blood for several weeks after recovery. Because of this, antibody tests should not be used to diagnose an active coronavirus infection. Currently, researchers do not know if the presence of antibodies means that you are immune to the coronavirus in the future. While there is a lot of uncertainty with this new virus, it is also possible that, over time, broad use of antibody tests and clinical follow-up will provide the medical community with more information on whether, and how long, a person who has recovered from the virus is at lower risk of infection if they are exposed to the virus again. Samples are typically blood from a finger stick or blood draw.
Do I have to schedule an appointment?
No appointments are necessary for any of our locations, but we recommend online pre-registration. Just drive up or walk up depending on the location.
Is your test FDA approved & is the lab used for test processing certified?
Our lab is CLIA certified and follows the FDA’s guidance. We only use FDA-approved testing materials.
How is your test performed?
The method of testing for COVID which is recommended by the CDC is called a nasopharynx where our trained personnel will put a specially designed 5-6-inch cotton swab into your nasal cavity. This is administered through each nostril. The technician will swab the area for about 15 seconds. It isn’t painful, though it may be uncomfortable. The swab will then go to our lab to test the material from inside your nose for evidence of the COVID-19 virus.
How do I know which test I need for travel?
Please check the embassy website for your destination country for travel advisories and contact the airline you will be flying with. Please confirm the type of test required as well as the timeframe within which the test must be taken. Once the test has been completed, you will receive a travel-friendly document by email that will contain information commonly required by airlines.
Do I have to have symptoms of coronavirus to be tested?
No, you do not have to have any symptoms to be tested, we want every member of our community to be tested regularly. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
I don’t have insurance, is the test still free?
Yes, the test is free for everyone!
What do I need to bring with me?
Please bring your ID and insurance card (if you have one). If you are uninsured, the tests are still free. If you hold a foreign passport, please bring that (don’t worry, your test is also free).
What tests do you offer?
The Center for COVID Control recommends RT-PCR for COVID-19 testing so we chose this technology for its accuracy and reliability. RT-PCR tests are accepted as the ‘gold standard’ of Pre-Travel COVID testing.
We also offer rapid antigen testing. Some airlines and schools are now accepting a negative result from a rapid antigen test. Check with your school/airline provider. Both the PCR test and Rapid Antigen tests are free.
When will I receive my results?
A PCR test takes 24 to 48 hours to receive your results. With the rapid antigen test, results are verbally given within 15 minutes and an email confirmation is given within 3 hours.
How can I protect myself from contracting COVID-19?
The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others
- The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility)
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty