Surveillance testing available to all students, staff and faculty.
The Ohio State University has achieved extraordinary levels of COVID-19 vaccination among students, staff and faculty members, with more than 92% fully or partially vaccinated, compared to the state’s average of 68.25%. These efforts have resulted in the university’s ability to fully return to campus and many in-person traditions.
The university reminds Ohio State community members that it is still important to utilize other ways to help keep our campuses healthy as we go through the upcoming winter season and potential impacts from emerging COVID variants, like the newly discovered Omicron strain. It is important to take prompt action to promote the health and safety of all communities, including those that are visited as part of personal or business travel. Other than vaccination, testing remains one of the most immediate and effective tools that individuals can use to interrupt the spread of COVID-19.
This alert is a reminder that asymptomatic surveillance testing is available to all students, staff and faculty members at our campus testing locations, including Monday through Friday at Jesse Owens North on the Columbus campus. For regional locations, dates and hours, and information about how to schedule through MyChart, visit the Safe and Healthy website.
All members of the Ohio State community are encouraged to use this testing resource regardless of vaccination status. If you have recently returned from international locations or traveled within the U.S. through major international travel hubs over the Thanksgiving holiday, we urge you to be tested at your earliest convenience. You are also encouraged to test before traveling for winter break and when you return to campus. Testing can provide individuals with peace of mind and help keep others healthy.
Individuals who are feeling ill should stay home and not go to Jesse Owens North or a regional surveillance location for testing. If a university community member is having any symptoms at all, they should seek guidance from their primary care provider and test at a symptomatic testing facility. Students can arrange for a COVID-19 test through Student Health Services and employees should contact their primary care provider or the Wexner Medical Center at 614-293-4000.
For those university community members who have an approved vaccination exemption on file or have not taken action on the university’s vaccination requirement, it is required and critical that they complete weekly testing. They should continue taking action when receiving weekly testing assignments and reminders.
The Ohio State University has made many strides in the fight against COVID-19, and students, faculty and staff members are encouraged to stay strong, patient and together as this important work continues. For more information about the university’s COVID-19 response and protocols, visit https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/.
Ohio State News
https://news.osu.edu/ohio-state-news-alert-university-encourages-voluntary-covid-testing/