Spring Testing, Contact Tracing & Isolation Regimen

January 26, 2022

Dear Tulane Community:

As we begin the new semester, we are providing an update on the testing, contact tracing and isolation regimen we will follow to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Testing Protocol

Through the end of February, we will be testing a random sample of employees and students. If you receive a QR code, you should get tested within 72 hours. Tulane Testing Centers are open Monday-Friday; appointments are required.

  • With random sampling, it is possible you will be asked to test often. Such testing, which is invaluable in keeping our community safe, requires a random sample from our population. We appreciate your cooperation and ask that you not email or call to complain about your being chosen to test.

Be sure to report any positive test result through the COVID-19 Reporting Form. This will remove you from the COVID testing program for 90 days.

Isolation

We currently provide isolation space off-campus for students who live on campus and test positive. The current isolation protocol is five days of isolation from when symptoms began or from the date of your first positive test.

Contact Tracing & Positive Notifications
  • Tulane Contact Tracers contact all positive cases, both those reported through the COVID reporting form and those who test positive through a Tulane Testing Center. Due to volume, it can take up to 60 hours for a follow-up call. It is imperative that you answer the phone and speak to a contact tracer. We require this call to set a date for the end of your isolation period.
     
  • Contact Tracing works to notify cases as they are received. Due to volume, delays may occur. Also, due to volume, we are sending notifications through the patient portal to those who test positive. These notifications include directions on actions those who test positive should take prior to contact tracers calling them. It is each individual’s responsibility to monitor the patient portal for results and directions.
Masking

Masks must be worn inside all campus buildings by everyone, regardless of vaccine status or previous COVID-19 infection. We strongly recommend the use of KN95 masks.  

  • A faculty member who can stand at least 6 feet away from the nearest student may remove their mask if they wish, for the duration of the lecture, if they feel that will enable them to communicate more effectively with the class.

For testing questions, email CHTestResults@tulane.edu.

For Contact Tracing questions, email CHcontactTrace@tulane.edu.

Help us understand more about COVID-19 transmission & vaccines with only a few simple steps!

We’re inviting all undergraduate, graduate students, post-docs, faculty, and staff at Tulane University who are participating in the testing program to participate in our study.

We’re asking for you to complete a quick survey now, in 3-months, and in 6-months.

This study is 100% online! You can consent and fill out the surveys from any device with an internet connection. If you choose to participate, you will be entered into a monthly raffle for a $50 Amazon gift card. You will be eligible each month that you complete a survey between now and June 2022, for a maximum of three entries.

Interested? Please click here to visit our website.

Principal Investigator: Aneeka Ratnayake
1440 Canal Street, Room 2053
New Orleans, LA,70112
Mobile: (410) 600-5292