August 5, 2022
Dear Tulane Community:
The strategies for combating COVID-19 have changed based on its decreasing virulence and advances in vaccine development and treatments.
At Tulane we are in a far different position now than when we recorded our first campus case more than 24 months ago. Our position is further strengthened by exceptionally high vaccination and booster rates among our students, faculty and staff. As we have done throughout the pandemic, Tulane is adapting its approach in combating COVID-19 to ensure the most effective response.
We remain committed to the early detection of COVID-19 but believe this can be best accomplished through the testing of individuals experiencing COVID symptoms and close contacts – rather than through the broad asymptomatic surveillance testing we have conducted over the past two years. Hence, going forward we will continue to conduct symptomatic testing and contact tracing of positive cases but will discontinue our random sample, asymptomatic surveillance testing. We will also continue to provide testing for individuals who intend to travel or have recently returned from traveling. Community testing will continue for family and friends but there will be a fee for this.
These changes will align us more closely with the practices of our peer institutions throughout the country and with the recommendations of public health experts.
Effective August 8 randomized asymptomatic COVID-19 testing will be discontinued. This means that QR codes will no longer be emailed and the Phelps Testing Center on the uptown campus and the LaSalle Testing Center on the downtown campus will close. Symptomatic, close contact, and travel testing will move to the Uptown Student Health Center and Tulane Living Well Clinics.
Locations/Times for Symptomatic, Close Contact, and Travel Testing
For Students:
Uptown Student Health Center
Located on the corner of Willow St. and Newcomb Place
Come to the front of the building and check in with nurse at the second door of the Health Center when you arrive.
Hours of Testing: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch noon to 1 p.m.).
Walk-ups are welcome. No appointment is needed.
Downtown Tulane Living Well Clinic
Located in the “Old Book Store” in the Hutchinson Building, 1430 Tulane Ave.
Enter from the LaSalle Street entrance.
Hours of Testing: Monday – Friday 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Walk ups are currently welcome. No appointment is needed. Appointment scheduling will begin in September.
For Employees:
Uptown Tulane Living Well Clinic
Located at 208 Broadway, Suite 108
Hours of Testing: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Walk-ups are welcome. No appointment is needed.
Downtown Tulane Living Well Clinic
Located in the “Old Book Store” in the Hutchinson Building, 1430 Tulane Ave.
Enter from the LaSalle Street entrance.
Hours of Testing: Monday – Friday 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Walk ups are currently welcome. No appointment is needed. Appointment scheduling will begin in September.
