COVID-19 Student Testing Information

July 24, 2020

Dear Seton Hill Students,

In follow up to President Mary Finger’s recent correspondence with you, we are writing to provide you with information about Seton Hill University’s COVID-19 testing program.

 Seton Hill is requiring all students attending face-to-face classes in the Fall 2020 semester to undergo testing for COVID-19.  As a result of testing limitations facing our nation at this time, Seton Hill has had to make some adjustments to its testing approach for students.

Students have two options to choose from: (1) Students may be tested on-campus between Monday, July 27 and Sunday, August 2 or between Monday, August 10 and Friday, August 14; or (2) Seton Hill will accept COVID-19 test results for testing completed off campus after July 27 if the specimen is a nasal swab. 

On-Campus Testing

Students may be tested on-campus between Monday, July 27 and Sunday, August 2 or between Monday, August 10 and Friday, August 14. Seton Hill will pay for the cost of on-campus student testing.

We anticipate a turnaround time for test results of up to 3 to 5 days from the date of testing with students required to quarantine at home or in the residence hall until their test results are available. Students should select a testing date as early as possible to allow for results to be received in advance of the start of classes on August 17. Both testing windows are open to any students who are available for testing on campus during those time frames. 

In particular, the July 27 to August 2 window aligns with students who are arriving to campus early because they are an international student; a Griffin Guide, Orientation Leader or Resident Assistant; or they are coming from a designated hot spot, including but not limited to Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah or they live within 50 miles of campus. 

The August 10 to August 14 window has been set aside for those students who are outside of a radius of 50 miles from campus and who have not completed an off-campus test. Also those who were unable to be tested between July 27th and August 2nd and reside within 50 miles of campus may be tested during this time period. The specific schedule of times and dates for on-campus testing can be found later in this letter. 

As a reminder, the turnaround time for testing results may take up to 3 to 5 days and all students will be required to quarantine between the time the test is taken and receipt of results – either at home or in the residence hall. No student will be able to attend face-to-face classes prior to the receipt of a negative test result.  Consequently, additional slots for move-in on August 12th, 13th, and 14th will be offered. Only returning students who have been tested – either through a previous on-campus test or on their own – will be permitted to move in on August 15 and 16. Please reach out to Residence Life at reslife@setonhill.edu if you need to change your move-in date to accommodate this testing. 

Procedure for On-Campus Testing

Students will drive thru and be tested outside the lower level entrance to the McKenna Center. When you reach the first stop sign on Seton Hill Drive, coming up the hill, please make a right onto Grotto Road and follow the signs. You will be asked to provide proof of identification (e.g. Driver’s License, Seton Hill ID, etc.) in advance of your test. You must also be wearing a mask/face covering. You will be directed to pull your mask below your nose while still covering your mouth during the testing procedure. Nasal swab testing on campus will be administered by members of the Seton Hill University Health Services staff and local medical personnel.

Students who are moving in to campus on the day of testing should conduct the drive thru testing first and before heading to their residence hall to begin the move-in procedures. Students who are being tested on the day that they are moving in to the residence hall will be required to quarantine in the residence hall until their test results are returned. 

On-Campus Testing Schedule

The on-campus testing schedule is as follows:

Week 1

--Monday, July 27 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

--Tuesday, July 28 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. 

--Wednesday, July 29 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

--Thursday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

--Friday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. 

--Saturday, August 1 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. 

--Sunday, August 2 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Week 2

--Monday, August 10 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

--Tuesday, August 11 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

--Wednesday, August 12 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

--Thursday, August 13 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

--Friday, August 14 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

What do I do after taking my test?

After taking your test, you are required to quarantine at home or in the residence hall until your test results are received. We all need to do our part to ensure the health and safety of our Seton Hill community. Arrangements will be made for students who quarantine in the residence hall for food delivery to their residence room. 

Please continue to monitor your health and contact your local health care provider if you develop any symptoms. Seton Hill also expects you to continue to wear a mask, practice good hygiene and physical distancing. Please limit contact with others and do all you can to stay healthy and safe as you prepare for your arrival to campus.

When will I receive my test results?

You will receive your test results within 3 to 5 days. Students who test positive will receive a phone call from Health Services; students with negative test results will receive an email. Please watch your Seton Hill email for a message from Seton Hill Health Services.

Any student who tests positive must self-isolate and stay home, except to get medical care. Please call before you go to the doctor and inform your health care provider you have COVID-19.  Always wear a face covering before entering a health care facility.

Should a student who is residing in a Seton Hill residence hall test positive, the student will be moved to an isolation area for at least 10 days per current CDC guidelines. 

 In order to return to face-to-face instruction and the residence halls, students who test positive will be required to be at least 10 days out from a positive test if asymptomatic or 10 days out from the onset of symptoms if symptomatic. Students should also be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and have improvement in their symptoms.

Testing Completed Off Campus 

It is highly recommended that those students who live more than 50 miles from campus and cannot be tested on-campus between July 27th and August 2nd complete a test off campus before August 9. Seton Hill will accept COVID-19 test results for testing completed off campus after July 27 if the specimen is a nasal swab. Point-of-care, saliva and antibody tests will not be accepted. If you are unsure what type of test you received, please send an email as well as your test results to healthservices@setonhill.edu. Seton Hill will reimburse students for any testing not covered by insurance up to $100. 

Off-campus testing results must be submitted to the Health Center, healthservices@setonhill.edu on or before August 9. This timeframe ensures sufficient time to enter test results into the system and allow students to receive their keys for move-in.

Common Questions

What does quarantine mean?

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. 

People in quarantine must stay home or in their residence hall room, separate themselves from others, and monitor their health. In other words, you should not go out, except when recommended by a medical professional to seek care; do not use public transportation; maintain a distance of 6 feet from others; do not permit non-essential visitors to come into your home or room.

How is quarantine different from isolation?

Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).

If I just had a COVID-19 test at home for work, do I have to have another test?

You may need another test.  Test results will only be accepted if testing is completed after July 27 and the specimen was a nasal swab.  

If a contact tracer informs me that I have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, do I still need to quarantine if my test is negative?

Yes.  The COVID-19 tests measure infection, not exposure.  You may have not developed an infection yet or your viral load may not have been high enough for detection at the time of testing.  Quarantine needs to last at least 14 days regardless of testing results.

What symptoms should I watch for while I am quarantining?

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; and/or diarrhea. 

Please watch for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:  trouble breathing; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion; inability to wake or stay awake; and/or bluish lips or face.

All of us in Health Services pray you continue to stay healthy and safe. If you have any additional questions, please send an email to healthservices@setonhill.edu.  We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!

Sincerely,

Seton Hill University Health Services Team