Dear Students,
Adelphi is preparing our community and campus for a safe and responsible reopening for the Fall 2020 semester.
As a MANDATORY first step before you return to campus, all residential students, international students and students from a restricted state (according to the New York State COVID-19 Travel Advisory) are required to complete a COVID-19 test. It will take just a few seconds, it’s not painful, and it’s free.
You will not be permitted on campus until your negative test results have been received.
Adelphi has partnered with Vault Health to provide you with a safe, easy test you can do at home, without going to a medical clinic or doctor’s office. (This test is a sample of saliva from your mouth—not a nasal swab or blood test.)
- You will receive your test kit in the mail.
- You’ll be given instructions to start a Zoom call.
- You’ll open your kit and conduct your test under the supervision of a medical practitioner during the Zoom call.
- Shipping your results will be expedited, and free.
Here are answers to questions you may have:
Why are we conducting testing? Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, frequent testing of our traveling and residential populations helps to ensure minimal risk of COVID-19 exposure among our community.
How frequently will I have to test? Following this initial test, once the fall semester begins we will be conducting surveillance testing, and ongoing tests will be conducted every few weeks at a designated location on campus.
How is the test conducted? This test, which must be completed before you arrive on campus, is a simple saliva test, taken at home, under medical supervision via Zoom video call. This simple, noninvasive test takes only a few minutes to perform and provides accurate and specific test results.
How will I receive my testing kit? In just a few days, you will receive an email with a unique test code. You’ll use this code to establish an account in the Vault Health patient portal. You can choose the address where you want to receive your test. It can be sent anywhere in the United States. For students completing quarantine requirements at a hotel or off-campus location of choice, please use your current quarantine address to mail your kit. For students completing an on-campus quarantine, please use your campus mailing address to receive your testing kit. You are strongly encouraged to remain home and self-quarantine after submitting your test to ensure your results remain valid.
How will I learn about my test results? Your test results will be made available to you via the Vault Health patient portal. Additionally, Adelphi’s Health Services Center team will be informed of the results. If you test negative, you will be allowed to enter campus and begin classes. If you test positive, Adelphi’s Health Services Center will follow up with you directly.
What if I test positive? If you test positive, you will be referred to contact your primary care provider for follow-up and treatment. After completing any necessary isolation, you will be retested and permitted on campus once your COVID-19 test is negative. Again, you should not enter campus if you have tested positive.
What if I have already been tested or have previously been diagnosed with COVID-19? You will still be required to complete this testing process.
What do I do next? In just a few days, you will receive a second email from Adelphi with specific instructions and a unique link that will begin the process. Using this user-specific link you will:
- Establish a personal account in the Vault Health patient portal.
- Provide your United States shipping address and other required information.
- Receive further instructions on how to complete your test.
DEADLINE: It is critical that you start this process as soon as possible once you receive your unique link. All tests must be completed by Monday, August 17.
Thank you for testing, and sharing in our commitment to protect the health and well-being of our Adelphi community. This is an important step in doing your part. Your participation and support is critical.
Stay well and be sure to check your inbox for further important communications related to Adelphi’s response to COVID-19.
Nicole Gaudino
Director, Health Services
R. Sentwali Bakari, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students