Julia Garrison
News Editor
The Community Health Committee announced in a March 8 email that the College would no longer be offering self-serve COVID-19 tests. This statement and message came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Respiratory Virus Guidance resource on March 1. The self-serve tests in Longbrake were the only completely free option for community members to test for COVID quickly.
The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance advises individuals to continue to stay up to date on recommended vaccines and what to do if they get sick. This includes staying at home for the first 24 hours that they feel sick and then making a plan following the improvement of their symptoms. The CDC compared this advice to flu recommendations. If symptoms improve, it is advised to return to normal activities but continue to use “added prevention strategies” over the next five days. The new guidelines advise individuals who might be at higher risk for COVID to seek treatment right away, even if they are caught up on their vaccines.
Members of the Longbrake Wellness Center and the Community Health Committee did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the issue.
Vice President for Marketing and Communications Alexa Konstantinos confirmed that there is still an option for students to receive a COVID test on campus. Students who are sick and are experiencing flu-like symptoms can call Longbrake and they will administer a test for them; however, these tests are not free and are included in student insurances.
“We would not leave people without an option,” Konstantinos said. “As a line item in the budget, the freebie tests are not a thing that makes sense because it’s better if you’re sick to see someone anyway.”
Masks are still available at Longbrake entrances A and D for community members seeking COVID resources.
