Student Mandatory Testing FAQs

Why is testing required for students living on campus?

• After each holiday and break we have experienced a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases both locally and nationally. We expect that surge to be even greater in January. The goal is to identify as many individuals who have COVID-19, or who are carrying the virus that causes it, as early as possible in the spring semester. Students who know their own infection status can take important steps to prevent passing COVID-19 to others. This ultimately reduces the disruption to campus and potential spread within the community; it will not capture everyone who will become infected throughout the spring.
• COVID-19 is an infectious disease, and a negative test in the past does not imply that you will not get COVID-19 in the future.

Why are tests required if I don’t have any symptoms and have been on campus throughout the fall?

• Proactive testing and isolation can help reduce the spread in our community and burden on area hospitals, helping to ensure that everyone can access essential resources and services.
• People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, and it can take 2-14 days for symptoms to even start showing. Most have mild symptoms, while some experience severe illness. Often, symptoms of COVID-19 may be similar to other respiratory and non-respiratory conditions. Texas A&M students have reported feeling the following during the initial stage of COVID-19:
  • seasonal allergies (for example: congestion, runny nose, headache, scratchy or sore throat)
  • migraine headache
  • ‘hangover’
  • ‘overdoing it’
  • post-exertion fatigue
• Keep in mind that the symptom list is diverse, and symptoms may be mild. If these symptoms have a sudden onset or manifest to a degree that is not normal for you at the time, you might have COVID-19 and should be tested.
• Many individuals do not have any symptoms at all. This means that people can be infected with the virus and not even know it and could be spreading it to others without realizing. A COVID-19 test is the only way to find out if someone has been infected with the virus.
• Timely testing allows for cases to be quickly identified and isolated (even those who are asymptomatic) and facilitates contact tracing to effectively reduce the virus circulating on campus. This enhances the health and wellbeing of all and helps us have a greater chance of being able to finish the spring semester with in-person activities.
• Testing helps to better manage surges in the number of COVID-19 cases. There was a surge when students arrived on campus in the fall and a notable increase in COVID-19 cases among faculty, staff and students post-Thanksgiving. Our public health experts advise that we can expect a greater number of cases in January. We can blunt the surge through early detection and management of cases.

What happens if I don't want to get tested?

• Students who choose not to test may select not to return to campus until January 29, 2021.
• Students may qualify for a testing exemption if they meet one of the following:
  • Have had a positive COVID-19 test since October 20, 2020 and
    • have recovered and
    • do not have any symptoms and
    • upload an acceptable laboratory report to the COVID-19 Testing Program portal.
  • Will not, at any time, come to the Bryan-College station campus during Spring 2021.
• Students who do not test, submit test results, or provide evidence of a previous positive diagnosis outlined above are required to remain off campus. Students who are living on campus prior to January 29 are required to shelter in place and restrict their movements from the time they arrive on campus until January 29, and will only be permitted to leave their residence for food, an emergency evacuation, medical services, or to care for a service or assistance animal.
• All students are required to register using the COVID-19 Testing Program portal, even if they do not plan to test.
• Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.

I do not live on campus. Can I still get a test?

• Texas A&M strongly encourages every student, faculty, staff, and contract worker to take a COVID-19 test at the start of the spring semester. You will use the same registration process and all the same testing sites.

Am I required to take my test on campus?

• No. You may take a COVID-19 test at any healthcare provider or testing site of your choice, as long as it is a PCR test and as long as it is administered during the designated testing window. Antigen tests and antibody tests will not be accepted. The laboratory report form must be uploaded to the COVID-19 Student Testing Program portal when you register.

Will testing be available on campus?

• Yes. There are several testing options available on campus.
• Campus testing includes:
  • The Texas A&M Test, a saliva test, will be offered for free at several testing locations across campus. No appointments are required, and you can walk up to a testing site anytime during testing hours. Be sure to complete the required COVID-19 Testing Program registration through the link provided in your email. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes. No health insurance is required.
  • The maroon and blue kiosks on campus continue to offer the Curative tests by oral swab. To offset the costs incurred at Texas A&M to provide these tests on campus, Texas A&M has asked that you present your health insurance information for billing purposes, though you will not be billed directly. Advance registration is required: https://tamus.curativeinc.com/welcome.
  • COVID-19 tests may be obtained at any healthcare provider of your choice, as long as it is a PCR test and as long as it is administered during the designated testing window. Antigen tests and antibody tests will not be accepted. The laboratory report form must be uploaded to the COVID-19 Testing Program portal when you register.
  • We will update the locations of free campus testing locations weekly. You may access these locations and schedules at: https://www.tamu.edu/coronavirus/testing-locations/index.html
• If you are sick, have symptoms that could resemble COVID-19, or think you might have been exposed, please visit a healthcare provider of your choice for clinical evaluation.

What is the Texas A&M Test?

• The Texas A&M Test is a COVID-19 PCR test that analyzes your saliva for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. The Texas A&M Test is not a diagnostic test for COVID-19 and has not been authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• If the Texas A&M Test suggests the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in your specimen, you must take an FDA-approved or authorized diagnostic test to determine whether you have COVID-19, provided at no cost through by Texas A&M. If this is necessary, the COVID-19 Operations Center will coordinate with you.

What is a COVID-19 PCR test? Are there other types of COVID-19 tests that will not be accepted?

• The COVID-19 PCR is a test that uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the most accurate and reliable test available. PCR tests for the nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2. Presence of the nucleic acid indicates the virus. Either a swab or saliva sample can be used to collect the sample to be tested.
• You may obtain a PCR test at several options on campus, including the Texas A&M Test, the maroon and blue kiosks tests offered by Curative, and at the A.P. Beutel Health Center.
• The other types of tests are not accepted. For more information about testing for COVID-19, visit https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics

Can I get an antibody test to prove I've already had COVID-19?

• No. Proof of a prior COVID-19 diagnosis is required. An antibody test result will not be accepted.

Do I need to register?

• Yes. Every student who is either required to test or who elects to test should complete the required COVID-19 Testing Program registration. You will receive an individualized link to your secure portal via your Texas A&M email in early January. Your link will also be available on the Howdy portal.
• The deadline to register, test, and upload documentation is January 25, 2021.

Does my test have to be done within a certain amount of time before I return to campus?

• Testing must be completed between January 12-22, 2021. This means that the swab or saliva must be taken during those dates, not before or after, even though we understand it might take a couple of days to receive your results. Tests administered prior to January 12 will not be accepted.

If I get tested at home, can I come back to campus before I get my test result?

• Yes. You can return to campus while awaiting your results. Students must upload their test results to the COVID-19 Testing Program portal, through the secure link sent to your TAMU email address in early January.

If I get tested before returning to campus and am positive, can I come back to campus to isolate?

• No. Students who test positive before returning to campus are required to complete their isolation period at an off-campus location and coordinate with the local health department where they were tested. This is consistent with the CDC instructions to avoid travel with COVID-19.

What documentation is required to show proof that I have met the testing requirement or that I already had COVID-19?

• Students who test using the Texas A&M Test (saliva test) during January 12-22 will automatically have their results linked and do not need to upload their test report.
• Upload your test result directly into the COVID-19 Testing Program portal, which you may access through your private and secure link. You will receive your own portal link through your Texas A&M email; the link is unique to you and should not be shared with others. Acceptable proof is a copy of the laboratory report form; not a screenshot of an email or a forward of an email.
• If you receive results via email (such as from Curative), be sure to click the download link provided to receive a copy of the laboratory report, and you may always contact your healthcare provider, testing site, or laboratory for a copy of your results if you do not have it.
• Even if you have tested negative recently, you need to test again during the testing window of January 12-22.
• COVID-19 is an infectious disease, and a negative test in the past does not imply that you will not get COVID-19 in the future.

I have already tested positive for COVID-19. Do I still need to test?

• The CDC has recommended that individuals who have tested positive and have already recovered have a low risk of becoming infected and posing a risk to others during the subsequent 90 days. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html.
• Anyone who has tested positive since October 20, 2020, and who has recovered is required to upload the test results to the COVID-19 Testing Program portal, using the secure link sent to your TAMU email address in early January.
  • Once you upload your result, as long as you have recovered and remain completely without symptoms, you do not need to test during January 12-22.
  • Acceptable proof is a copy of the laboratory report form; not a screenshot or a forward of an email.
  • If you receive results via email (such as from Curative), be sure to click the download link provided to receive a copy of the laboratory report.
  • If you do not have a copy of your results, you are always entitled to a copy of your results or medical record. You may always contact your healthcare provider, testing site, or laboratory for a copy.
• If you tested positive prior to October 20, you will need to be tested for COVID-19 during the testing window of January 12-22.

Who will see and have access to the information I upload to the COVID-19 reporting portal?

• The link you receive to the COVID-19 Testing Program portal is unique to you, and you should not share it with others. The portal is managed by Texas A&M and is compliant with security policies.
• Only authorized personnel with a legitimate business need will be allowed to access the documentation. Authorized personnel include the Department of Residence Life, Human Resources, and the COVID-19 Operations Center at Texas A&M.

Who do I contact if I have issues uploading information to the COVID-19 reporting portal, or if I have other questions about testing or the portal?

• If you cannot find your answer here, or if you have difficulty uploading your test result, you may send an email to covidtest@tamu.edu.

What if I am a student employee and I live on campus? When should I get tested? Do I have to get tested twice?

• You do not need to test twice during the return to campus testing period.
• If you are a student employee (including a graduate assistant, teaching assistant, campus student worker, or other employee) and you will return to work on campus before or on Jan 12, you should test during the employee testing window, Jan. 2-12.
• If you are student employee who is returning to campus after Jan 12, you should test during the student testing window of January 12-22.

I traveled internationally over the break. How long am I required to quarantine before returning to campus?

• All students and employees returning from travel outside of the Brazos Valley should self-quarantine for 72 hours to the greatest extent possible upon return, always wear a mask, keep six feet from others and wash hands frequently.
• Find more information on the travel guidance website.