COVID-19 Updates for Employees: Fall 2021

August 4, 2021

Dear Faculty & Staff,

COVID-19 testing is a core part of Tulane's Fall 2021 Return to Campus plans, along with contact tracing, mandatory indoor face coverings for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated, and good hand hygiene. Information in this email applies to both the uptown and downtown campuses, Primate Research Center, and all students — undergraduate, graduate, or professional – both on and off campus.

More than 90% of Tulane faculty and staff and more than 95% of students report that they are fully vaccinated. If you have not done so, please report your vaccination immediately. When more people are vaccinated, there are fewer chances for COVID-19 to spread or mutate.

Our plans are based on current public health guidance. Developments in the weeks ahead may prompt new and updated guidance. We ask for your patience as we adjust our plans and strategy to meet changing circumstances.

Fall 2021 Return to Campus Testing

Return testing for students, faculty and staff will begin August 15 and will end August 22.

Faculty and Staff should schedule an appointment for testing at the uptown or downtown testing centers as soon as they receive the testing email. You should complete at least 2 tests during the month of August.

If you HAVE NOT received an email by August 20, email CHTestResults@tulane.edu for assistance. Emails are not sent to all individuals at the same time.

Faculty and staff are asked not to send emails on behalf of students or employees to CHTestResults@tulane.edu. Campus Health officials must work directly with each tested individual.

There are testing locations uptown and downtown — you can schedule testing at either location. If one location has no availability, please try the other location. Appointment availability is generally greater at the downtown center.

Fall 2021 Testing Guidelines
  • Participation in testing is required of all students, faculty, and staff.
     
  • All unvaccinated individuals will be required (with no exceptions) to test twice weekly beginning Aug. 23, 2021.
     
  • Through the surveillance testing program, a random sample of graduate, undergraduate, faculty, and staff who are vaccinated, will be tested at least twice a month.
     
  • Any individual, regardless of vaccination status, receiving a QR Code must schedule their test as directed in the testing email.Test results are processed by the Tulane School of Medicine Laboratory. Expect results, via a phone call or email, within 24-36 hours. If you do not receive results after 36 hours, please email CHTestResults@wave.tulane.edu.
     
  • The Tulane Testing Centers, The Living Well Clinics, and all Campus Health locations work by appointment. Please do not show up, unless directed to do so via phone or email, without a scheduled appointment and a new QR code.
COVID-19 Positive Result & Quarantine/Isolation Protocols

You should complete an online COVID-19 Reporting Form if you have:

  • tested positive for the virus on or off campus
  • if you believe you or another person is a close contact to someone who tested positive

If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, Tulane Contact Tracers will help them determine appropriate next steps. Tulane Contact Tracers will also help coordinate all the actions that need to happen on campus regarding notifications, tracing, disinfection, etc.

In the event of a positive result in a particular department or unit, supervisors must NOT take actions, such as sending all staff home, isolating, or making quarantine decisions for themselves or others, or sending people for additional testing. Guidance for all necessary actions following a positive test result is handled by Tulane Contact Tracers.
 
Tulane’s surveillance testing program is for asymptomatic individuals (people without symptoms of COVID-19). If you are a contact to a known case of COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, complete the online COVID-19 Reporting Form.
 
All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, who are identified as a close contact are required to test when identified and then again on day 5-7.

Contact tracers from Campus Health are notified of all COVID-19 positive tests completed through the Tulane System immediately. If students, faculty or staff get tested outside the Tulane System and receive a positive result, it is important to complete a COVID-19 Reporting Form as quickly as possible in order to notify contact tracers.

On-Demand Testing: Beginning October 1, in addition to periodic surveillance testing, employees will be able to request a test as needed; directions will be forthcoming.