Health Center
Pilots Prevent
February 8, 2021
Before classes resumed for Spring Semester, University of Portland successfully completed a two-week baseline testing program for staff, faculty, and students in high- and low-contact groups. This baseline testing helped us identify, isolate, and treat any positive COVID cases, and successfully prevented any community outbreaks. But baseline testing was only the beginning. Asymptomatic surveillance testing is an important part of UP’s ongoing Comprehensive Prevention Strategy to keep the community safe and healthy. We know some folks have questions about the process, and we’re here to provide you with answers and resources.
Why is UP doing asymptomatic surveillance testing?
Kaylin Soldat, associate director of primary care services at the Health and Counseling Center (HCC), explains the purpose of asymptomatic testing. “We started asymptomatic testing on February 1 after having completed two weeks of baseline testing,” Soldat says. “The purpose of surveillance testing is to determine the prevalence of COVID on campus, and identify any individuals who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, but are capable of transmitting the virus. We can prevent outbreaks on campus before they occur.”
How often is everyone tested?
Students who are living or coming to classes on campus must download the Carbon Health app and complete daily health checks. Faculty and staff who come to campus complete their health checks through the Campus Clear app (but should also have the Carbon Health app). Everyone who lives, works, or comes to campus has been designated into either a low- or high-contact testing group, depending on where they live, how much contact they have with other people, and other factors. Those in high-contact groups will be tested approximately every three weeks, while those in low-contact groups will be tested about every six weeks.
Dr. Matthew Rygg, associate vice president for student development, emphasizes that testing timelines are approximate. “Testing depends on a lot of factors, including potential outbreaks or problem areas, and we may need to modify the testing plan to accommodate,” he says. The program is designed to be nimble, flexible, and responsive to changes and situations on campus.
How will I know when I need to be tested? How do I schedule? Where do I go for a test?
Several days before it’s time for your asymptomatic surveillance test, you will receive an email from @pilotsprevent.edu with a link to schedule your appointment through the Carbon Health app. Asymptomatic surveillance testing takes place on Mondays and Thursdays in the Lund Family Annex, across the street from the Chiles Center. All asymptomatic surveillance tests are free. Students, faculty, and staff in low- or high-contact categories will all follow the same procedures for asymptomatic surveillance testing.
Faculty, students, and staff who live and work off campus who have been designated either no-contact or exclusively remote will not be a part of the baseline or surveillance testing program. (Read more information about faculty and staff designations and testing information.)
What if I have symptoms or feel sick?
Students can seek care through the Health and Counseling Center. Soldat says there’s a number of ways students can reach out to receive care. “They can call, they can email, or now we have opened self-scheduling through our student health portal,” she says. “First, we’ll ask a few questions to make sure there’s nothing that requires emergency care. If not, we would like to see them the same day or next day at the latest.” At HCC, students receive a full medical evaluation as well as COVID testing. Both rapid antigen tests and PCR tests are available for symptomatic or potentially exposed individuals. Soldat wants to emphasize that the HCC is available to serve all students. “Some students have thought they don’t qualify,” she says, “but all students, whether they live on or off campus, are always welcome at HCC.” Care is available round-the-clock, even if HCC is closed, by following the after-hour care policy. While being part of the surveillance program is a pre-requisite for accessing campus, you do not need to be in the surveillance program to access the services at the HCC. “We didn’t want to create any barriers for student who need healthcare,” says Soldat.
If staff or faculty feel sick or are developing symptoms, they should contact HR and seek medical attention through their primary care provider.
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
Whether someone is symptomatic or not, it’s important to isolate individuals who test positive in order to prevent further spread. UP has a comprehensive plan and care management team devoted to making sure students who test positive receive the best care and support. You will be cared for and connected to resources until you’re healthy again.
I’m a student who lives off campus—can I still come to campus?
Yes! If you need to come to campus for a class or a lab, use the library, work out at Beauchamp, or other university-related purpose, you can still come to campus. But there are some rules to follow to ensure the health and safety of our community. “We’ve created a process for students to go through,” says Rygg. “There’s a website for off-campus students; they’ll need to read the Pilots Pledge and agree to it. Then an email is generated for the student to download the Carbon Health app, and agree to be in a testing pool.”
Is asymptomatic surveillance testing really necessary?
Rygg emphasizes that the asymptomatic testing program is absolutely crucial. “In creating the healthiest and safest campus community, we realize that a robust testing plan is the cornerstone of any resumption plan,” he says. “While it might be inconvenient for students, staff, and faculty, this testing program is required to ensure the health and well-being of campus. It’s what membership in the UP community looks like during a pandemic.”
We recognize that there are a lot of new rules and procedures to remember, and we want to thank everyone in the UP community for doing their part to make sure we can all stay safe, healthy, and resume limited in-person classes and on-campus living.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
This website uses cookies to track information for analytics purposes. You can view the full University of Portland privacy policy for more information.
