Spring Surveillance Testing
Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,
As always, we are committed to keeping our campus as safe and healthy as possible. To this end, and in keeping with best practices and CDC guidelines, we are increasing our campus testing this semester to include surveillance testing. Surveillance testing takes a small, representative sample of a larger community to help identify asymptomatic infection, with the goal of mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus by carriers without symptoms.
From March 10 through April 28, we will be testing approximately 40 percent of our total population, approximately 60 individuals per week. Participants will be chosen at random and composed of students, staff, and faculty. Participation is voluntary but highly encouraged. If you choose to opt out, there will be no repercussions and you do not need to take any further action.
If you are selected to participate, you will receive an email the week prior to your testing date with instructions on how to sign up for a time slot. Testing will be provided free of charge to those who have received emails asking them to participate and have signed up to do so.
At the allotted time, please report to Bernie’s, located inside the Lee Center, where you will be instructed on how to provide your sample. This is a saliva test that you will complete yourself while being observed by one of our trained staff members. It is imperative that you do not eat, drink, suck on hard candy/lozenges, chew gum, or brush your teeth one hour prior to taking the test.
Results are available within 24 hours on the Rokmetro app, SAFER COMMUNITY. The app will be available for download on your smartphone prior to providing the saliva sample. While awaiting your results, you are free to continue your normal activities. If your test is positive, Student Health Services (SHS) will reach out to you and provide what steps need to be taken. For questions about test results, call SHS at 703-284-1610.
For more information on the sample collection process and how you can contribute a clean sample for the most accurate test result, explore the resources below:
Shield T3 COVID-19 Test Collection Site Process Video
Shield T3 COVID-19 Test Collection Site Process Infographic
Shield T3 Clean Sample Infographic
We look forward to your cooperation with this extra layer of protection.
Be Well,
Laura Finkelstein, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President of Student Health and Well-Being
