July 28, 2020
Dear Reed students, faculty, and staff,
This message will provide information about how to sign up for a COVID-19 test if you are a student who will live off campus this fall, a faculty member, or a staff member. If you are a student who will live on campus this fall, you have already been contacted regarding your schedule for move-in and COVID-19 testing, and you can disregard this message.
All Reed community members who plan to engage in person with on-campus Reed community members in August or September or plan to be on campus on a regular or frequent basis in August or September should be tested for COVID-19 in August. If you plan to work or study from home and do not intend to engage in person with on-campus Reed community members in August or September, we ask that you not be tested through Reed at this time so that tests can be reserved for those who will be on campus.
How to sign up
Sign up for a COVID-19 test by clicking on one of the buttons below. Once you select a time for your test, you will see a gray pop-up box that says, "Select your item(s), then click here to enter your name." Click that gray box to confirm your test time. Please sign up by Friday, July 31. Note: the sign-up interface works best in Chrome and Firefox browsers.
Testing dates
Faculty and staff
Tuesday, August 4
Wednesday, August 5
Friday, August 21
Students living off campus
Tuesday, August 25
Wednesday, August 26
Note: If you are unable to find a date and time that works for you, you will need to contact your health-care provider to schedule a test before the beginning of the fall semester or call either human resources (employees) or the health & counseling center (students).
Who is doing the testing, and what type of test is it?
Reed has contracted with an employer workplace testing company that will perform the tests. The tests are diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19 purchased from Tempus. The provider doing the tests will aim for minimal discomfort. The testing process will consist of a simple nasal swab in each nostril (this is not the "to the brain" nasal swab test). Specimens will be sent to a Tempus lab, which will perform the test.
What should I bring to the test?
You must bring your Reed ID to the test and wear a face covering.
What should I do if I feel unwell on the day of my test?
If you are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms on the day of your test or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days of your test, you should NOT come to campus for your test. Contact your medical provider and either the human resources office or the Health & Counseling Center for next steps.
Location
There are two locations for testing—one for faculty, staff, and students living off campus and one for students living on campus. Tests for faculty, staff, and students living off campus will be conducted outside in front of the Reed library. We recommend that you park in the east lot or the north lot. Look for signs directing you to a check-in table.
Do I need to quarantine or isolate after my test?
After you are tested for COVID-19, we ask that you do not expand your in-person social circles before the start of the fall semester. If you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you must quarantine and be clear of COVID-19 symptoms before accessing Reed's building and grounds. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must isolate until cleared by your medical provider. We require all community members who plan to be on campus or engage in person with students, faculty, or staff to practice social distancing at all times.
Test results
While our goal is to get you your test results within 120 hours of your test, it may take longer, depending on when Reed receives the test results from the Tempus lab. As you may have read in the news, labs are backlogged, and circumstances out of our control may impact how quickly tests are processed. We appreciate your understanding regarding the turnaround time. In all cases, your privacy will be maintained.
Who will contact me with my results?
Reed's human resources office will contact faculty and staff with test results. The Health & Counseling Center will contact students with test results.
Rescheduling and cancellations
The college expects to test more than 2,000 people in August. This is a complicated process, and we ask you to help us by scheduling a time that you can commit to. We will not be able to accommodate rescheduling, so please arrive on time for your appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment, please follow the cancellation link in your confirmation email.
Ongoing testing
The college has purchased 6,500 tests from Tempus. Following the August tests, the college plans to test on an ongoing basis and in a variety of ways to protect the health and well-being of our community. The testing strategy will include but is not limited to the following measures:
- Random testing of students, staff, and faculty.
- Random testing of individuals from each residence hall.
- Testing of those who come in contact with a large number of people.
- Testing of all individuals who have had close contact with another individual who has tested positive for the virus.
- Random testing of individuals from high-risk and vulnerable populations identified through Reed’s Daily Health Check.
- Testing of students who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
Questions?
Faculty and staff
Cypress Williams
Human Resources Partner
503-777-7255
cypress@reed.edu
Students
Health & Counseling Center
503-777-7281
health-services@reed.edu
Testing the Reed community is a complicated but important process. We thank you for your cooperation and support as we work together to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Tomorrow afternoon you will receive an email regarding the COVID-19 training and the Daily Health Check.
Well wishes,
COVID-19 Risk Assessment Working Group
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COVID-19 Risk Assessment Working Group
Co-Chairs
Kathy Oleson, Dean of the Faculty & Professor of Psychology
Hugh Porter, Vice President for College Relations & Planning
Members
Suzy Renn, Professor of Biology
Cindy Anderson, Interim Dean of Students
April Sams, Director of Risk Management & Environmental Health and Safety
Timmie Rochon, Medical Services Director
Gary Granger, Director of Community Safety
Mandy Heaton, Executive Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Lorraine Arvin, Vice President and Treasurer