COVID-19 Screening Program
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Do NOT eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for 30 minutes before giving your saliva sample.
To help ensure the health and safety of our campus community, the University of Saint Mary has enrolled in a COVID-19 testing program for all students. Our goal is to help identify potential COVID-19 transmissions and protect USM students, faculty, and staff.
Your sample will be sent to DxTerity Diagnostics, a licensed and fully accredited clinical laboratory based in California. All samples will be tested and reported in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you have questions about COVID-19, please visit or speak to your health care provider.
Questions and Answers
Why am I being tested for COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed guidance to help prevent exposure to COVID-19. USM students, faculty, and staff should adopt infection control strategies based on a thorough assessment using appropriate combinations of strategies. The COVID-19 wellness screening program is one part of a much broader strategy USM has implemented to help protect USM community members from exposure to and infection with COVID-19.
What is the COVID-19 test?
The test is designed to detect the virus that causes COVID-19 in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. USM will use a saliva sample test.
When will I be tested for COVID-19?
Student-athletes will be tested during their assigned check-in days Aug. 3-8 in the Athletic Training Office. Non student-athletes who check in on Friday, Aug. 7, will be tested that day in McGilley Field House. Non-athletes who check-in on Saturday, Aug. 8, will be tested in McGilley Field House on Monday, Aug. 10.
How will results be reported?
Results will be reported back to USM in a de-identified (sample ID only) summary report through a secure web portal. Each individual will be notified by a USM representative if they test positive for COVID-19.
How long will it take to get the test results back?
Results for the test are typically available 1-2 days after the lab has received your sample, but this may vary based on demand.
What if I test negative for COVID-19?
A negative test result means that the COVID-19 virus was not found in your sample. If you receive a negative result, you may proceed with classes and campus activities as planned. Please continue to social distance, monitor for symptoms daily, and follow other COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
If you receive a positive test result, it is likely that you have COVID-19. There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false positive result). You must complete all requirements mandated by the Leavenworth County Health Department 鈥� which may include isolation, subsequent testing, or other actions 鈥� before you are permitted to return to campus, classes, athletics, and extra-curricular activities.
What if I have questions?
Reach out to USM's student life office at 913-758-6111 or robert.schuchardt@stmary.edu