About the Test & Testing Logistics
What are the hours of testing? Testing will be on Wednesdays from noon-2pm through summer.
What type of test is EWU using? EWU has purchased Abbot BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Tests. These tests are authorized for emergency use by the FDA.
What is an antigen test? Antigen testing, also referred to as rapid testing, is a type of test designed to detect the coronavirus from nasal swab specimens.
How is the specimen collected? The specimen is collected through a nasal swab. People will be asked to administer their own swab under the supervision of an EWU professional.
Where is this test taking place? Tests will be administered inside the Roost in the University Recreation Center (URC).
Do I need to make an appointment or fill out any paperwork in advance? You do not have to make an appointment for the testing. However, you will be required to fill out a COVID-19 Test Form. We encourage you to print out this form, fill it out, and bring it with you to the test site.
Is there a cost to getting tested? No. EWU is providing the antigen testing for free to current EWU students and employees.
How will I receive my results? If your test result comes back negative, you will receive an email from Health & Wellness informing you of the result. If the result comes back positive, EWU will call the telephone number you provided to inform you of the result and provide direction about isolation.
When will I receive my results? Results should be emailed to you within a few hours of the test.
Can my professor or supervisor ask to see a copy of my results? Yes. Professors or supervisors may ask you to provide evidence that you were tested.
I have received both doses of my vaccine- do I need to do this testing? It depends on when you were vaccinated. Please call Health & Wellness at 509-359-4279.
How long are the results good for? A COVID test simply provides information about whether or not you have COVID on the date and time of the test. It is not a guarantee that you will not be exposed to COVID after the test.
Is testing required or optional? For whom? How often?
Who is required to be tested? Any students engaged in on-campus activities during spring quarter/semester are required to be tested between March 27-29. The only students who are exempt from this requirement are those who are already involved in a testing program (intercollegiate athletics and students in the HSB). EWU encourages students to use the EWU antigen test as it is being provided to students at no cost rather than obtaining a test somewhere else.
Does this include people who are using the URC, PUB, or participating in student activities? Yes.
I live in the on campus townhouses, do I need to get tested? Yes. Testing is required for all students on campus, including those who live in the townhouses and apartments. Testing is not required for non-students living in the townhouses and apartments.
Does this include student employees? Yes. Student employees are required to be tested before they return to their on-campus jobs after spring break.
Who can be tested? Optional testing is available for all current students and employees.
Am I required to get tested every week? No. EWU is only requiring students to have an antigen test at the end of spring break. After that, testing is optional. Students are encouraged to participate in the optional testing.
I am a faculty/staff member at EWU. What do I need to know about the antigen testing?
Am I required to be tested? No. Employees are not required to participate in the post-spring break antigen testing.
May I be tested? Yes. EWU encourages employees to take advantage of this testing opportunity.
I am a faculty member teaching an in-person lab. How can I help? EWU is encouraging faculty members to reach out to their students to inform them of the testing requirement and the availability of testing. Faculty may, but are not required to, ask students to show them documentation that they were tested prior to the first face-to-face activity of spring semester.
I supervise student employees. May I ask them whether they have been tested? Can they be on the clock while being tested? Yes. Please let your student employees know that they are required to be tested and ask them whether or not they have completed the test. They can use work time to participate in the testing.
Additional questions
Students: please contact Health & Wellness at 509-359-4279 or stuhealth@ewu.edu
Faculty & Staff: please contact Risk Management at riskmanager@ewu.edu