COVID-19 testing

COVID-19 testing

Students who have consistent with COVID-19, or who need a test five days after being in close contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19, are urged to get tested for COVID-19.

Diagnostic testing at DSHSC

On-campus and off-campus residing students who have any symptom of COVID-19 are urged to schedule an appointment for a test at the Decker Student Health Services Center (DSHSC) using the student health portal, during the first day they are ill, even if their symptoms are mild. Students who need a test five days after being in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 may also request a test. There are two ways to get tested:

  1. Self-schedule an appointment on the with one of our medical providers to be evaluated. The provider will order a COVID-19 test if they feel it is necessary. This is the best option for someone for complications with concerns about their illness or who may need more than just a COVID-19 test (e.g. flu test, strep test, mono test, chest x-ray). Symptomatic students are expected to avoid other people and stay home until they are evaluated and their test results are known, at which time they will be instructed on what to do next by their medical provider.
  2. Self-schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test only. These appointments are made on the . This type of testing appointment is only for students with mild symptoms who have no for severe COVID-19, or students who need a test five days after being in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. The results from this appointment will be sent to you via the Secure Messaging function of the patient portal. Sign on to the portal 1鈥2 hours after your appointment and check your messages for the test result and for further instructions.  

All COVID-19 testing is performed at a testing window at DSHSC. Follow the signs for 鈥淒iagnostic Testing鈥 and proceed down the stairs on the side of the health services building furthest from Johnson Hall. Students will remain outside, with swabbing occurring through the window. Dress appropriately for the weather. Students who are not able to use the steps should call 607-777-2221 for instructions on how to get tested.   

Home diagnostic testing

Home tests can be purchased at most pharmacies.  

At-home antigen COVID-19 tests must be used properly:

  1. If you HAVE symptoms:  
    If you cannot come to the DSHSC, where we can perform a rapid molecular test, you should do an antigen test as soon as possible. If it is negative, the result cannot be trusted and you should perform another antigen test 48 hours later. If that result is also negative, you can trust that you do not have COVID-19 and you may resume your normal activities as long as you meet the other . If either test is positive, you can trust that you have COVID-19 and you should follow the .
  2. If you DO NOT have symptoms:  
    You should perform three COVID-19 antigen tests, each of them 48 hours apart. If all three are negative you can trust that you do not have COVID-19 and you may resume your usual activities as long as you meet the other . If any of the tests are positive, you can trust the result and you should follow the .

What to do about a positive home test

If you have a positive home COVID-19 test while you are in Binghamton, regardless of whether you live on or off campus:

  • Immediately put on a mask and avoid contact with other people.
  • Follow the for people who are sick with COVID-19. Avoid being in public until your symptoms are improving AND your fever is gone for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve).  
  • As you resume your normal activities keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick to other people.  For the 5 days after you resume your normal activities, take additional steps for , , , , and/or .  
  • You may choose to report your positive test result to the Broome County Health Department using this . Doing so will get you more information about your illness and other resources available to you. 

Off-campus and other testing options

Students needing testing when DSHSC is closed may seek COVID-19 testing off campus. Medical care is also available to students at several off-campus urgent care walk-in clinics and emergency rooms.

Faculty and staff

Faculty and staff should report positive test results to Sara DeClemente-Hammoud in Human Resources at 607-777-4939 or declemen@binghamton.edu.

After testing

Visit the management of COVID-19 page for more information about what to do if you test positive.

If you require urgent medical attention, call 607-777-2222 (University Police) if you live on-campus, or 911 if you live off-campus, and request an ambulance.  Be sure to notify the dispatcher that you may have COVID-19 symptoms so first responders can take appropriate precautions.

Privacy statement

As a student submitting to a COVID-19 test at the DSHSC for the purpose of detection of COVID-19, you have the right to be assured of the confidential treatment of disclosures and records and to have the opportunity to approve or refuse the release of such information except when release of specific information is required by law or is necessary to safeguard you or the University community. All positive COVID-19 test results are required to be reported to the New York State Department of Health. 

If you have concerns about privacy, please tell us. We want, expect and need your feedback. For concerns regarding medical care, contact the Medical Director at 607-777-2221. If you feel the issue is not resolved, you may appeal to the University鈥檚 privacy compliance officer 鈥 Office of University Counsel, 黑料视频, AD-614, Binghamton, New York, 13902-6000. Complaints may also be registered at the U.S. Office of Civil Rights N.Y. Office at 1- 800-368-1019; TDD: 1-800-537-7697.