Dear Redhawks:

We hope you are all doing well and getting ready for a restful winter break. This message summarizes Seattle University’s pre-arrival testing requirement for Winter Quarter 2021 (or Spring Semester, for law students). All students who will be on campus during Winter Quarter/Spring Semester (law) in any capacity (living in university housing, including the Douglas and Vi Hilbert, taking classes on-site, accessing the library, working on campus, etc.) must be tested for SARS CoV-2 in the one-week period prior to start of Winter Quarter. This testing will give us a starting point to know that all students accessing campus tested negative for COVID-19 prior to returning to campus winter quarter.

Who Needs to be Tested?

Any undergraduate, graduate or law student who plans to be physically on campus in Winter Quarter 2020/Spring Semester:

For example:

• Living in residence halls;
• Enrolled in classes or labs meeting in person;
• Any plans for meeting up with faculty, staff or other students in person;
• Accessing services such as the library and Redhawk dining.

Timing of Test

• Testing should occur 12/27/20 or later.

Required Test

PCR for SARS CoV-2 that has received FDA EUA (emergency use authorization). PCR is preferred but antigen testing will be accepted.

• Tests that are NOT acceptable include antibody (IgM, IgG).

Required Documentation

Lab reports will be needed which include:

• Identification information for student such as name and date of birth;
• Type of the test administered;
• Results; and
• Name and address of lab.

Management of Results

All students will need to upload the results to patient portal under “immunizations” in the Medicat patient portal, located here: https://seattleu.medicatconnect.com/.

Where to Get Tested

• Outside of Seattle/King County
  • Check to see if there are free testing sites or drive-through sites to get tested: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html;
  • Check with your primary care provider to see if they provide testing;
  • Pixel by LabCorp: https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/covid-19; this is a home test kit if your student has had any exposure to congregate settings such as healthcare settings, office buildings, workplaces, schools, shelters, etc.
• Seattle/King County
  • Seattle University Student Health Center
    • Testing clinics will be offered 1/6 (Wed), 1/7 (Thu) and 1/8 (Fri)
      – appointment required
      – self scheduling is available through the Medicat patient portal
  • Additional testing locations in the community offering weekend testing if desired:
    • Harborview – https://www.uwmedicine.org/locations/covid-19-testing-harborview
    • UW sites - https://www.uwmedicine.org/coronavirus/testing
    • King County sites - https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What if I can’t get testing prior to coming to campus?

A: You can get tested once you arrive in Seattle (see testing site resources above). If you are moving into campus housing you will need to self-quarantine in your room until a negative result is received.

Q: Can I still move into the residence hall if I haven’t received my results yet?

A: Yes, but you will need to self-quarantine in your room until the test results are received. If results come back negative you can end self-quarantine, if they come back positive you will be moved to a room for isolation.

Q: I haven’t received my test results; can I self-quarantine off-campus?

A: Yes, you can self-quarantine off campus with friends or family but please notify housing of your plan and arrange for a new move-in time.

Q: My test is positive, what do I do now?

A: First, notify the Department of Public Safety immediately by sending an email to covid-19-report@seattleu.edu. If you are still home you should delay your travel, contact your health care provider for evaluation and not come to campus until you’ve meet requirements to leave isolation and are no longer contagious. If you do not develop symptoms isolation can usually end 10 days after the positive test. If you do develop symptoms, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider but it should be a minimum of 10 days and at least 24 hours of symptom improvement including no fever without the use of fever reducing medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc.). If you have already moved onto campus, you will need to be moved to an isolation room in the Yobi Apartments until the isolation period is over. You will be followed by the Student Health Center monitoring your symptoms daily.

Q: My test was negative, but I’ve developed symptoms that could be COVID-19. What should I do?

A: If you are still home you should delay your travel, contact your health care provider for evaluation and not come to campus until you’ve meet requirements to leave isolation and are no longer contagious. Minimum time for isolation if diagnosed with COVID is 10 days and at least 24 hours of symptom improvement including no fever without the use of fever reducing medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc.). If you have already moved onto campus, you will need to notify the Department of Public Safety immediately by sending an email to covid-19-report@seattleu.edu.

Q: My test was negative, but I’ve just had a close contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID. What should I do?

A: If you are still home you should delay your travel and quarantine for 14 days after your last contact with the person who tested positive. If you have already moved onto campus, you will need to notify the Department of Public Safety immediately by sending an email to covid-19-report@seattleu.edu, and you may need to be moved to a quarantine room. If you develop symptoms, see above response about someone who has developed symptoms.

Q: Should I get tested before leaving campus for winter break?

A: Before you depart for the break, Seattle University strongly recommends that you get tested for COVID-19 so that you don’t take the virus home with you. Our Student Health Center is offering COVID-19 testing clinics on Wednesday, Nov. 18, Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov 20. Please select an appointment time on the Medicat patient portal. Depending on demand, additional test clinics could open to accommodate student testing needs. Test results can take up to three business days, so please consider this and factor it into your travel plans when scheduling your appointment. Testing will be by appointment only to ensure appropriate physical distancing.

Q: Where can I find additional answers to frequently asked questions?

A: Visit the testing page on the Student Health Center website, here: https://www.seattleu.edu/student-health/covid-19-testing/

Q: Who can I contact with questions?

A: Contact the Student Health Center at 206-296-6300. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Sincerely,

Tara Hicks, ARNP                                                           
Director, Student Health Center 

James Willette
Associate Vice President, Student Development