Did the university mail tests to students?
Yes. We mailed a kit with two COVID-19 self-tests to each Danforth Campus student who had a U.S. address listed in official university records. International students received their test kits when they arrive to campus.
What kind of tests are they?
The test kit contains two On/Go Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Tests. You can learn more about the tests by visiting the On/Go website FAQ.
My test kit has an expiration date of February or March 2022. Can I still use it? (Updated 4/5/22)
Yes. On January 20, 2022, the FDA granted a three-month shelf-life extension for On/Go COVID-19 Antigen Self-Tests. All tests now expire three months later than the date written on the box. Learn more about the expiration date extension on the On/Go website.
My test doesn’t work or I don’t have a smartphone. How should I complete the test? (Updated 1/25/22)
We can help you complete the test on campus starting January 28. Come to DUC Room 239 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. or Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and our team will assist you with whatever you need to complete the test.
What if I didn’t receive my On/Go tests? Can I use a different test? (Updated 1/28/22)
If you do not receive the On/Go test kits or cannot use them for any reason, you should find another test for pre-arrival testing. You may upload a photo of this alternate test into the email link you received for completing your pre-arrival or entry test. You can pick up an On/Go kit on campus when you get here to complete your entry testing.
Where can I pick up an On/Go test kit on campus? (Updated 2/10/22)
Test kits will be available for students to pick up in the Danforth University Center (DUC), Room 239, Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
When should I complete the tests?
There are two identical tests in the kit, to be completed as follows:
- Pre-arrival: It is our expectation that you will complete one of the tests no more than 48 hours before you return to campus for the spring semester.
- Entry: Bring the other test with you and complete as soon as you get to campus, and no later than Friday, February 4. This test is REQUIRED. If you do not take the test and report the results by Friday, February 4, you may be administratively withdrawn from your courses, and be ineligible to enroll for the duration of the spring 2022 semester.
How do I report my test results? (Added 1/17/22)
- We are sending two personalized emails to your university email address from the sender “WashU COVID Testing Center” — one on January 19 for your pre-arrival test and the other on January 26 for your entry test — with links to submit your results.
- Follow the instructions in the emails to access and complete the reporting forms.
- You will need to upload an image of your test result, which can be a screenshot from the On/Go mobile app or a photo of the actual test.
- You will also be required to complete an attestation to verify that the results you are reporting are accurate.
I accidentally used the wrong link to submit my test results. What should I do? (Edited 1/31/22)
It does not matter if you reversed the pre-arrival and entry testing links. Please use your remaining link to complete the second test. These will be accepted.
I’ve used both of my links for one test result. Now neither is working. What should I do? (Edited 1/31/22)
If you accidentally filled in both links with the same test, and need one of those reset so that you can add a second test, please email habifnursing@wustl.edu and let them know which link you submitted incorrectly, and they will reset the appropriate link for you.
Neither of my links work. What should I do? (Added 1/28/22)
Please go to the DUC (Room 239) for assistance. The hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What should I do if I test positive?
- Pre-arrival: Remain where you are, seek any medical treatment from your local provider and isolate according to the instructions you receive by email after you submit your test results.
- Entry: Do not come to campus or leave your on-campus residence. Contact Habif at habifpublichealth@wustl.edu for guidance. If you are ill, please call 314-935-2252. If you get voicemail, leave a message with your contact number and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
I live in St. Louis (or never left for break). Which tests should I complete?
Requirements for students currently living in St. Louis (including those who have been doing research on campus or were approved to stay in Residential Life housing over the break) are the same as for all students. It is our expectation that you will complete the “pre-arrival” test between January 28 and 30, and you are required to complete the entry test during the first week of in-person classes, by no later than Friday, February 4.
I’m returning to campus after February 4. Do I still need to complete the entry testing? (Added 1/17/22)
Yes. You must complete your entry test when you return to campus. Send an email to covidquestions@wustl.edu to request an extension.
I’m an enrolled student for the spring semester, but I will not be on campus at all. Do I have to complete the required entry testing? (Updated 1/17/22)
No. Students who will not be on campus at all are exempt, as follows:
- Students in programs offered only online (certain Law and Olin School of Business master’s programs) are exempt from the entry testing requirement. No action is needed on the student’s part.
- Students studying abroad in spring 2022 are exempt from the entry testing requirement. No action is needed on the student’s part, although if your WashU course enrollment has not yet been dropped, you will still appear on the required testing list in case your program does not run.
- Students who are taking only online classes in spring 2022 and who are not living on campus (certain Olin Business School and McKelvey graduate programs, and University College programs) are also exempt. Schools will review enrollment in the coming weeks to identify students with only online courses. If by January 21 you don’t see a “MSN 8224 Remote Study” milestone listed under your spring 2022 courses on your unofficial transcript on WebSTAC, you should contact your school registrar.
- Doctoral students pursuing research or other non-classroom activities, according to their course registration, will be contacted by their school in the upcoming week with instructions on how to report if they are working away from campus/the St. Louis region for the spring 2022 semester. After it is reported, such students will be exempted from testing. Doctoral students should check their registration in WebSTAC to make sure it accurately reflects their status for spring 2022.
- Schools are reviewing enrollment in the coming weeks to verify students who are not required to complete testing. If you have questions about any of the above statuses, you should contact your school registrar.
I received a test kit in the mail and I don’t need it because I’m not coming to campus this semester. Should I return it to the university?
You do not need to return the test kit. Please feel free to use it for another purpose or to give it to someone who can use it.
My tests are being mailed to the wrong address. What should I do?
If you were unable to check or update your address in WebSTAC before the January 2 deadline, you should try to find a pre-arrival test in your local area. Pick up a kit when you return to campus to complete your On/Go entry test.
What will happen if I do not complete the testing?
If you do not take the entry test and report the results by Friday, February 4, you may be administratively withdrawn from your courses, and you would not be allowed to enroll for the duration of the spring 2022 semester.
Will graduate and professional students receive the test kits? Are they required to complete the entry test?
Yes, all Danforth Campus students are required to complete the entry test.
I’m a WashU employee as well as a student. Will I receive the tests and do I need to complete them?
Yes, all Danforth Campus students are required to complete the entry test.
I recently tested positive for COVID-19 and have recovered. Do I still need to do this testing?If you tested positive on January 10 or later, then you do not need to complete this testing. Contact Habif Health and Wellness Center at habifnursing@wustl.edu to report this. If you tested positive before January 10, you should complete pre-arrival and entry testing.
Why are we doing this testing?
We’re providing these tests and requiring entry testing in order to protect the health and safety of our community, and to try to prevent a large influx of positive cases at the start of the semester that could overwhelm our health care providers and our quarantine/isolation capacity, leading to significant disruption to our classroom instruction and other campus activities. We want to be able to hold classes in person and have our students be together as much as possible this spring, and this testing will help us to do that.
If I test positive, when can I return to campus?
You must complete your full isolation period, following university guidelines, before returning to campus. Habif Health and Wellness Center will contact you directly with instructions for isolation and your return to campus.
Should I notify my professors if I’m unable to attend class because I’ve tested positive?
Yes. You should email your professors to inform them that you have tested positive on the pre-arrival or entry testing and that you will be unable to attend classes. You should let them know when you will be able to join in-person classes and make any arrangements necessary to complete coursework during this time. Your school will also provide a notification to your faculty, but it is important for you to be in direct contact with your faculty about how you will stay engaged with your classes while you are isolating.
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
You can email questions to covidquestions@wustl.edu.