Covid-19 | Testing Requirements

COVID- TESTING

COVID testing is an important component of the tiered protocols we have implemented to limit the spread of the virus on our campus. We have partnered with other Atlanta University Center Consortium member institutions to execute a science-based testing regimen that involves every student and employee every week.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE

Pre-Arrival Testing

Pre-arrival testing is required for all employees and all new and returning students prior to arriving on campus for the fall 2022 semester.  This includes move-in dates for students living in residential housing. Acceptable testing follows:

• Take and receive a negative result from a PCR test administered at a testing facility within 72 hours of arriving on campus for the fall 2022 semester.
• Take and receive a negative result from an antigen test, administered at a testing facility or self-administered through an at-home test, within 24 hours of arriving on campus for the fall 2022 semester.

PCR tests can be found here and free at-home tests can be found here. 

Students and employees will share proof of their test results as they arrive:

• Home test kit result
• Written (physical or digital) antigen or PCR test results

Pre-Arrival Self-Monitoring

Individuals with COVID-19 have experienced a wide range of symptoms appearing 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and students experiencing these symptoms may have COVID-19 and must delay their campus arrival even if their test is negative:

• New/unexplained fever or chills
• New/unexplained cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Unexplained fatigue
• Unexplained onset of muscle or body aches
• New/unexplained headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• New/unexplained sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose (excluding allergies)
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained diarrhea

Employees who continue to test positive after completing at least 10 days in isolation must 1) provide a note from a medical professional stating the employee has completed isolation and 2) receive approval from the institution before arriving to campus

FALL 2022 SEMESTER COVID-19 TESTING FREQUENCY

After arrival, selected vaccinated students and employees will be randomly chosen each month for antigen and PCR testing to help AUCC epidemiologists closely monitor the incidences of COVID-19 at Morehouse and other AUCC campuses. Unvaccinated students and employees must take an antigen or PCR test weekly in accordance with AUCC protocols.

TAKING A TEST

Students and employees who are selected randomly for testing will take both an administered PCR test and a self-administered antigen test.

1. Arrive at Forbes Arena and take a PCR test.
2. Also, pick up an antigen test kit from Forbes Arena.
3. Follow the antigen kit’s instructions to collect a sample of nasal materials.
4. Return the kit back to Forbes Arena. You should be able to take the test and return it before you leave the Forbes area.
5. You will receive emails confirming receipt of your sample and providing you with your results.
6. Complete the Morehouse Self-Reporting Form to record antigen results.

Students who test positive should return to their room and contact Dr. Michael Turner at michael.turner@morehouse.edu. Employees should immediately return home and contact their supervisors and Human Resources Minaratu Dura at miniratu.dura@morehouse.edu.

Students and employees completing a COVID-19 test not administered by the AUCC must complete the AUCC Self-Reporting form and should not report to campus if they have:

• Received a positive COVID-19 result or
• Named as a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19
• Experienced symptoms consistent with COVID-19

 TYPES OF TESTS

Antigen tests indicate whether you have a current COVID infection by looking for antigens, which are proteins on the surface of the virus. They can be administered quickly and relatively easily, but are not quite as reliable as PCR tests. Antigen tests are not antibody tests. Antibodies are proteins that fight the virus, while antigens are components of the virus itself. If you have had the virus, you may have antibodies, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are currently infected.

• A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test detects the COVID-19 virus by searching for the presence of RNA, the virus’s basic genetic material, inside a person. They are generally more reliable than antigen tests but take longer to process.