Barnard announced that their mandatory COVID-19 surveillance testing will end on December 23, 2022.

On Wednesday, the Barnard Public Health Response Team (PHRT) announced in an email that their mandatory COVID-19 surveillance testing will be discontinued on December 23, 2022. After that date, negative test results will no longer be required for campus building access. 

Though testing will not be mandatory in the Spring 2023 semester, members of the Barnard community will have access to a total of three Color Health COVID-19 tests. These allotted tests can be used in circumstances such as COVID-19 exposure, travel, or time spent with an immunocompromised person. PHRT recommends that students with symptoms of COVID-19 be seen at Primary Care Health Services for evaluation and testing, while faculty and staff should visit a healthcare provider. PHRT expects students to upload positive test results into the system and for those who test positive to adhere to isolation protocols. 

The last testing pick-up for this year will be Thursday, December 22 at 1:30 pm. As of January 10, 2023, Color Test pick-ups will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 pm. PHRT states not to activate a test from Thursdays at 1:30 pm to Sundays at 5 pm, since tests activated between these times will not be processed.  

Barnard will continue to observe health conditions and expand its wastewater surveillance to test for influenza, RSV, polio, and the mpox virus, alongside COVID-19. The College will share these findings on their upcoming Public Health Response Dashboard and adjust policies as needed. PHRT’s email also acknowledged the current spike of COVID-19 and the flu in New York City, and recommended wearing a high-quality mask when traveling or in crowded spaces. 

All questions regarding these new policies should be directed to phrt@barnard.edu. 

Email from Director of Public Health Response Team April Autry to Barnard Students, Staff, and Faculty on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 3:01 pm:

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

As we celebrate the end of another semester and look forward to the promise of a better year ahead, we are writing to announce that on December 23, 2022, we will be discontinuing our mandatory COVID-19 surveillance testing.

We thank you for your adherence to health and safety protocols that have been in place and encourage you to continue taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. This includes staying home when you are sick, getting tested if you are symptomatic, practicing good hand hygiene, and getting updated vaccinations as they are available to you. Additionally, given the current high rates of COVID-19 and flu in NYC, wearing a high-quality mask is strongly recommended when traveling, and in crowded indoor or outdoor spaces.

Although testing will no longer be required, optional asymptomatic testing will be available at the testing site in Milbank Hall on a limited basis. Each community member will have three opportunities to test with Color during the Spring 2023 semester. These three tests can be used at any time for reasons like: exposure to someone with COVID-19, before or returning from travel, or before spending time with someone who is immunocompromised. Students with symptoms should be seen at Primary Care Health Services for evaluation and testing; staff and faculty should visit a healthcare provider. Testing for COVID-19 is available near campus, throughout the city, and with rapid at-home testing.

It is important that positive test results continue to be uploaded into CoVerified in order to receive critical instructions regarding isolation (this includes if you test positive over the break or work remotely.) Those who test positive for COVID-19 are expected to adhere to isolation protocols as outlined here. Negative test results do not need to be uploaded or shared. Effective 12/23, negative testing will no longer be required for building access; however, swiped building entry will remain in effect.

Please note that the last pick-up for this year will be Thursday, 12/22, at 1:30 p.m. Beginning January 10, 2023, on campus, Color Test Pick-ups will happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. DO NOT activate a test from Thursdays after 1:30 p.m. before Sunday at 5 p.m., as these tests will not be processed.

We will continue to observe campus, local, and national health conditions carefully, including the expansion of our wastewater surveillance that tests not only for the COVID-19 virus but also influenza, RSV, polio, and the mpox virus. We will share these findings with the community on our new Public Health Response Dashboard, coming soon. This diligent monitoring will allow us to be nimble and responsive in order to adjust our guidance and policies as needed.

If you have questions, please direct them to phrt@barnard.edu. Thank you for your hard work in keeping our community safe.

On behalf of all of us on the Public Health Response Team, we wish you health and happiness during this holiday season.

Take good care,

April Autry

Director of Public Health Strategic Response

Barnard Hall via Bwog Archives