January 5, 2021
Dear Tulane Community, In order to protect the campus community and city residents as we begin the spring semester, all new and returning students will be required to complete a return-to-campus COVID-19 test in January and participate in ongoing surveillance testing throughout the semester. Notices to schedule testing have started going out – if you do not receive a scheduling email with a QR code by Jan. 8, 2021, email CHTestResults@tulane.edu.
Pre-Arrival Testing & Quarantine
Tulane is requiring all students to complete a COVID-19 test and provide documentation of this before returning to campus. We are also requesting that students take precautions and quarantine for 5-7 days prior to their return to New Orleans. This will reduce the risk of students returning to campus with COVID-19. Students should complete their test to return to campus as close to their return date as possible. We recognize that testing may not be available for all students. Email CHTestResults@tulane.edu if you are unable to get a test.
How to submit documentation of your pre-arrival COVID-19 test:
- Log into the patient portal using your Tulane email address (without the @tulane.edu) and your email password
- Go to the Upload tab
- Choose “Proof of COVID Test Not Done by Tulane Testing Site”
- Choose “Select File” and attach the file
- Choose “Upload.”
Please Note: When attempting to upload your record, the file name of the record should be short and should not include special characters or spaces.
New Flu Vaccine Requirement
New for spring, all students* are required to receive a flu vaccine and submit documentation (see instructions below). We will offer flu vaccine at the Arrival Center and on campus in January; however, please do not wait – many pharmacies (Walgreens and CVS) and retail outlets (Target, WalMart) offer vaccines at low or no charge to you.
*Students with medical, religious or personal reasons can submit an exemption form.
How to submit your pre-arrival flu vaccine record:
- Log into the patient portal using your Tulane email address (without the @tulane.edu) and your email password
- Click on the "View your immunization history" link
- After the list of "Item on File" populates look for the "Flu Vaccine" or "Influenza Vaccine" in the list that is dated August 2020 or later. If it is in the list, there is no further action needed. If it is not in the list, follow steps below.
- Click "Immunization" in the top menu (be patient while the page loads)
- Find the “Influenza Requirement” and click in the blue bar so the drop down appears
- Fill in the date you received the flu vaccine. When finished, click "Submit."
General Testing Information
All individuals are required to participate in Tulane’s surveillance testing program, regardless of vaccine status or presence of antibodies, unless noted below.
Unless directed otherwise, the Arrival Center Testing is only for undergraduate students who are living on campus.
If you have questions or need assistance email CHTestResults@tulane.edu.
Testing Frequency for Return to Campus
Undergraduate Students
All residential undergraduate students and any new undergraduate students (transfers, Spring Scholars) living on campus are required to go through the Tulane Arrival Center (located at the downtown Hyatt Regency) before moving on campus, regardless of COVID-19 history. Testing hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The QR code and your Splash ID number are required to access testing services – no appointment is needed.
All on- and off-campus Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC) undergraduate students will be required to complete three COVID-19 tests within one week of their return to campus.
Graduate, Professional and School of Professional Advancement Students
These students will be required to complete one test prior to the start of classes.
All students will receive a QR code via e-mail from no-reply@lablynx.com that will enable access to testing. Upon receipt of your QR code, utilize the patient portal to set appointments based on availability and testing requirement.
On-Campus students who have NEVER had COVID-19
Residential undergraduate students who have never tested positive for COVID-19 are required to receive their return-to-campus test at the Arrival Center. These students should go to the Arrival Center for testing based on their move-in date. After the initial test is completed at the Arrival Center, NTC undergraduate students will be required to test for COVID-19 two additional times during the first week of the return to campus period.
Off-Campus students who have NEVER had COVID-19
Off-campus students should not utilize the Arrival Center testing program. Undergraduate (includes SOPA), graduate and professional students from any school who are living off campus are required to get return-to-campus testing at any Tulane Testing Center location (uptown or downtown).
Students who tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Oct. 1, 2020
Any student who tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Oct. 1, 2020 will be required to follow the return-to-campus testing protocol as stated above and follow scheduled surveillance testing throughout the semester. Campus Health providers will work directly with these students on any issues they encounter.
Students who tested positive for COVID-19 after Oct. 1, 2020
Any student who tested positive for COVID-19 on or after Oct. 1, 2020, will not be required to complete a return-to-campus COVID-19 test and will not participate in surveillance testing until directed to do so by Campus Health.
All students who tested positive outside of the Tulane Testing Program must submit documentation through the COVID-19 Reporting Form.
On-campus students are REQUIRED to report to the Arrival Center for assessment and education by Campus Health and to be cleared to move onto campus – no appointment is required. Booking a room at the Hyatt is not required.
Vaccine Information
We do not have information on when Campus Health will be able to provide vaccines to students. If you are starting a vaccine series with a healthcare provider at home, please make sure you will be able to complete the series with that provider.
Everyone in Louisiana will have the opportunity to get vaccinated. The Louisiana Department of Health is following prioritization guidance from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Per this federal guidance, the first round of vaccines in Louisiana is being given to frontline healthcare personnel in hospitals and residents and staff of nursing home/long-term-care facilities.
We will share regular updates with our community as more information about vaccine administration becomes available.
Who is Eligible for the Vaccine Now?
Phase 1A (Population: 249,000)
- Hospital personnel
- Nursing home and long-term care facility residents and staff
- Emergency medical services and fire personnel
Phase 1B, Tier 1 (Population: 640,000)
- Schools of allied health (students, residents, staff)
- End-stage renal disease facility personnel/clients
- Home agency patients and personnel
- Ambulatory/outpatient/medical/dental/behavioral health clinic personnel
- Persons 70 years old and older
Starting the week of January 4, Louisiana will receive the first, very limited doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. These will be available at approximately 100 pharmacies across the state by appointment only.
These vaccines will be available only for:
- People 70 years old and above
- Ambulatory/outpatient care personnel
- People being treated for end stage renal disease (patients on dialysis)
- Schools of allied health students/residents/staff
- Home agency patients and personnel
Click HERE for vaccine locations.
In coming weeks, Tulane will have more information about availability of the vaccine for front line service staff and affiliates.
