Testing, isolation, quarantining, and contact tracing are tools that many Hokies have successfully used to fight the spread of COVID-19 during the fall semester.

They will also be a key part of keeping the university and surrounding communities safe and healthy moving forward.

What can you do to help out? Brushing up on the basics is a great place to start.

How can I get tested?

  • Students with symptoms or those who generally feel sick should call Schiffert Health Center at 540-231-6444 to request a medical appointment (select Option 1). Your test will take place at Schiffert.
  • Students who have been contact traced to a positive or potential positive COVID-19 case or believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 but do not have symptoms should call Schiffert at 540-231-6444 and request a COVID-19 test (select Option 1). Your test will take place at Schiffert.
  • Students without symptoms and who haven’t been contact traced can be tested by attending the Sunday walk-in testing clinic in Lane Stadium. You’ll need your student I.D. and can go ahead and fill out the informed consent and testing demographics forms to save time.
  • Testing occurs at both locations: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Students may also be selected to participate in our mandatory random prevalence testing. See the FAQs here.
  • Call Schiffert at 540-231-6444 for testing appointments, results questions, and concerns about your individual isolation instructions. For general questions, you can call the helpline at 540-231-7600.

Can I get tested on the weekend?

  • Schiffert offers urgent care walk-in testing for symptomatic students only, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
  • Students without symptoms can attend walk-in testing clinics at Lane Stadium on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. These tests will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll need your student I.D. and can go ahead and fill out the informed consent and testing demographics forms to save time. There will be no medical appointments at this time. It is highly recommended that students with symptoms who have not been tested visit a local urgent care clinic on Sundays to receive a medical appointment.

More on testing, including employee testing >>

What happens next?

  • Students will be given instructions about quarantining or isolating while they await their results.
  • Results can take up to 72 hours. If you haven’t received results by then, call 540-231-6444.

What happens if I test positive?

  • The Virginia Department of Health will contact you regarding contact tracing. If you haven’t heard from VDH, call 540-267-8240.
  • Schiffert will contact you regarding directions for isolation, follow-ups, and more. (You can also contact Schiffert at 540-231-6444.)
  • On-campus students who test positive will be asked to return to their permanent address to isolate for 10 days. Students who can’t do so will be accommodated in the university isolation and quarantine spaces. More about what on-campus relocation and isolation looks like >>
  • The Dean of Students Office and Schiffert will also work with off-campus students to monitor their at-home isolation. Tips on isolating at home >>

What if I tested positive somewhere other than Schiffert or an ArcPoint Lab in Lane Stadium?

Notify the Dean of Students Office via this online form.

What academic support is available while isolating?

  • The Dean of Students Office will work with you to provide absence verification for classes and will check in with you to monitor your situation. They can be reached at dean.students@vt.edu or 540-231-3787.

What other personal support is available while isolating?

  • An isolation assistant will be available to help with needs beyond the instructions and contact information each student is given for on-campus students. Students can find this information in the email they receive as part of their isolation plan.
  • The Student Affairs Care Team will provide daily check-ins for students in on-campus isolation or quarantine.
  • The Dean of Students Office will provide regular check-ins for all students in isolation or quarantine off-campus.
  • Cook Counseling Center provides a weekly support group via Zoom in addition to check-in phone calls.
  • Hokie Wellness offers a variety of virtual programs, including workshops on mindfulness and finances, and also has two offerings specifically geared for students in isolation or quarantine on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.
  • A free pass will be provided to virtual workouts and events from Virginia Tech Rec Sports.
 
Written by Travis Williams

 

Share this story