The following message was sent to Drexel students on Jan. 12:
Dear Drexel Student,
As noted in earlier communications, during the winter term/spring semester, Drexel’s COVID-19 Screening Program will be broader in scope than during the previous term. Many students will participate in a mandatory, weekly testing program. Please note that testing through this screening program is reserved for asymptomatic students. If you feel ill, have any symptoms of illness, or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19 infection, you must contact Student Health Services at 215.220.4700.
Screening testing is one component of the key risk reduction steps that will help you stay healthy and safe. Each of us plays a key role in the collective health of our campus community. Always remember to wear your face mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands frequently. You must also perform a daily symptom check-in through the Drexel Health Checker App.
In general, all students participating in required weekly testing have been assigned a day when they are expected to schedule the time of their test. Once mandatory testing begins, when students go on the app to schedule their appointments, they will only see their assigned day and will pick a time.
The following students are required to undergo COVID-19 screening testing on a weekly basis:
- Students who live in Drexel Housing including all residence halls and Greek housing.
- Students who live in properties that are connected to Drexel buildings. This includes all Drexel students living in American Campus Communities (ACC) or Academic Properties Inc. (API)
- Students who have registered for any face-to-face classes this term (includes semester and quarter programs).
- Graduate students who are engaging in any research that requires spending time in Drexel facilities.
- Healthcare students (including College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Professions students) as directed by their colleges.
Open Testing Program
Students not in any mandatory screening group listed above are welcome to schedule a weekly COVID-19 test as the testing schedule permits by selecting an available appointment Monday – Friday. We particularly advise students with 3 or more roommates to consider taking advantage of open testing.
Testing Locations
Testing will be completed at one of our Drexel University testing locations. Please note that hours are limited at the New College Building and Queen Lane sites and subject to change based on program needs.
- Race Learning Terrace, 3300 Race Street (Main testing facility)
- New College Building, Center City, Room 1103, 245 N 15th St
- Queen Lane, College of Medicine Campus, Room C9, 2900 W. Queen Lane
Testing Schedule
Note: Students enrolled in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, College of Medicine, Kline School of Law, and School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies will receive direct communication from their programs concerning testing.
Drexel Residence Halls and Greek Housing
- Students moving into Drexel housing and Greek housing will be required to complete COVID testing at our campus testing sites prior to receiving their room key. You should have received direct communication from Drexel Housing concerning move-in and testing.
- For weekly testing, each Residence Hall and Greek House will be assigned a designated a testing day. This will be your testing day throughout winter quarter.
- You will be responsible for scheduling your appointment time on your assigned day.
- 48 hours prior to your designated testing day, you will receive a notification through the Drexel Health Checker and an email from the app reminding you to schedule your test.
ACC/API Housing
Students have been strongly advised not to return to campus until the week of January 18th, at which time weekly COVID-19 testing will be mandatory. Students who still plan to reside in ACC/API housing prior to January 18th can schedule a weekly COVID-19 screening test on a voluntary basis through the app as part of our Open Testing Program (see below). Mandatory testing will begin the week of January 18th.
- Students will be assigned a designated a testing day. This day will be your testing day throughout winter term/spring semester.
- You will be responsible for scheduling your appointment time on your assigned day.
- 48 hours prior to your designated testing day, you will receive a notification through the Drexel Health Checker and an email from the app informing you to schedule.
- For students in ACC and API housing prior to the week of January 18th, we strongly recommend that you schedule yourself for weekly “open testing.”
Face-to-Face Classes: Undergraduates
- Mandatory weekly testing will begin the week of January 25th (unless you are also in any of the above categories that begin earlier), coinciding with the start of face-to-face classes.
- Undergraduate students taking face to face classes will be assigned a designated testing day. This will be your testing day throughout winter quarter.
- You will be responsible for scheduling your appointment time on your assigned day.
- 48 hours prior to your designated testing day, you will receive a notification through the Drexel Health Checker and an email from the app reminding you to schedule.
Scheduling Your Test
To be able to schedule your testing, you must complete the following:
- Download the Drexel Health Checker app. This application has been tailored to facilitate your testing experience and is required for registration, selection of appointment and receipt of laboratory results. You must download version 1.5.1 to have the latest functionality.
- Schedule an appointment for your COVID Testing: you will be able to select a site and time for testing on your designated day. More information, including how to schedule your test and check your results, can be found on the How to Schedule A Drexel On-campus COVID-19 Testing Appointment [PDF].
- **Enter a “quiet period” and wait for results: Results will appear in your Drexel Health Checker App within 24 hours of completion of testing. ** While waiting for your results on campus at the start of the term when you are initially tested, we ask that you restrict your movement to your living quarters and continue to follow public health guidance, including mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand washing. Those in University housing will have access to in-room meals while waiting for results.
As a reminder, individuals previously diagnosed with COVID-19 infection are not eligible for retesting for 90 days. If you have had a positive COVID test or no longer fall into the outlined categories for required testing, please email: COVIDtesting@Drexel.edu.
Should you still have questions after reading this email and the attached directions, please contact COVIDtesting@Drexel.edu or call the COVID Questions line at 215.703.2335.
Drexel has prepared extensively to support the health of the community, including comprehensive testing, contact tracing programs, and added safety protocols. It is essential we all stand ready to embrace personal and collective responsibility in following public health guidance to have a successful winter term and protect our community.
For FAQs, please visit Drexel’s Response to Coronavirus website.
Marla J. Gold, MD
Director, Return to Campus Operations