COVID-19 TESTING
The Bard community has worked hard to promote safety during a global pandemic. While our on-campus Covid tests have been negative to date, remember that
testing alone does not keep our community safe. The incubation period for Covid-19 is 2 to 14 days, so a negative test today does not mean one does not have the virus, and should not be used as an excuse to relax the strict mask wearing and social distancing that is necessary in this pandemic.
Bard is conducting surveillance testing as recommended by our infectious disease specialists and epidemiologists. This is done through a contract with Broad Institute of MIT. Bard is testing approximately 400 students and employees each week. Surveillance testing uses randomized samples from our community. This testing is required which means that if you are assigned to be tested you must get that test during your assigned week.
If you are exhibiting
covid symptoms, please call Health Service to be evaluated. If the provider determines that a covid test is required, it will be done through your health insurance. If you have been identified as a first-degree contact of a positive case or a person under investigation, please contact us immediately to discuss next steps.
In the event of a positive case on campus or in the vicinity, we will work closely with the Department of Health and our Johns Hopkins-trained campus contact tracers to identify and test all relevant persons. We have the capability to perform surge testing to diagnose and isolate potential new cases should the need arise.
Students who want to be tested for any other reason can access tests at local pharmacies. If one chooses the option closest to "group living/setting", you will qualify to be tested. However, one does need to have access to a car as these sites are drive through only. Local pharmacies with testing sites include:
- CVS Pharmacy
- RiteAid Pharmacy
- Walgreens Pharmacy