As the University prepares for incoming students during the Flexible Arrival Period, the information below will guide students on how to share their COVID test results. It also includes updates to Duquesne's guidelines and additional options for testing.
As previously indicated, the University requires all returning students to provide proof of a negative COVID test within 48 hours prior to arrival on campus.
RECORDING TEST RESULTS WITH THE UNIVERSITY
Students should go to the University's designated and secure test information survey site and fill out the brief questionnaire and indicate the test result.
Tests should be conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival on campus. Results can be from rapid tests, antigen or PCR tests, done at home or in a clinical setting. The test information site will ask individuals to attest whether their result was positive, negative, or indeterminate, and further instruction is available there. Students should only return if they have not experienced symptoms for at least five days, and mask upon return for at least an additional 5 days.
PLEASE NOTE: As of Jan. 6, 2022, Allegheny County Health Department guidance states that individuals who have documentation of a positive COVID-19 infection in the last 90 days are exempt from re-entry testing. Documentation of the positive result should be uploaded to the student Health Portal through DORI. Please call Health Services at 412-396-1650 or email duhealth@duq.edu for further guidance.
Unless individuals have proof of recent infection, they must comply with University protocol regarding re-entry testing.
CAMPUS OPTIONS FOR TESTING ON ARRIVAL
For those students who cannot obtain a test where they live, an Allegheny County mobile testing unit will provide FREE COVID testing on Duquesne's campus on Tuesday, Jan. 11, Wednesday, Jan. 12 and Monday, Jan. 17. The testing unit will be located on Bluff Street at the top of Duquesne's campus.
Advance sign-up is required at the county's site. We encourage students to sign up as soon as possible, to secure a slot. When all slots are filled, the University will provide other options.
TESTING OUTCOMES AND NEXT STEPS
Individuals who test positive should stay home for at least 5 days, per CDC guidance, and mask upon return for at least an additional 5 days. A negative test following is not required, per CDC guidelines. Masking is required indoors for all students, employees and visitors at Duquesne University.
According to the most recent CDC guidelines, a fully vaccinated individual who shows no symptoms of COVID-19 does not need to quarantine if they have been exposed to someone with COVID. However, fully vaccinated close contacts should:
Wear a mask indoors in public for 10 days following exposure. Duquesne's current policy requires all students, employees and visitors to mask indoors.
A negative COVID test is not required for people who remain asymptomatic.
If a person does experience COVID-19 symptoms, they should get tested and isolate immediately.
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated and have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 still should quarantine for 5 days after their last exposure to that person.
Individuals who need to isolate or quarantine will be asked to do so either at home, per current Duquesne policy, or in dedicated University space, depending on their circumstances.
REQUIRED TESTING FOR UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS
The rate of vaccination in our student population is very high, but there are some who have documented exemptions and are not vaccinated. As a safety measure, those individuals are required to participate in weekly testing unless or until they become fully vaccinated. Failure to comply with weekly testing will be treated as a conduct violation. Details about Duquesne's testing plan for unvaccinated individuals are forthcoming and will be communicated when ready.
BOOSTERS
As communicated earlier, students are strongly encouraged to get booster shots before returning to campus, if they have not already. If boosters are unavailable, they will be readily available for all students and employees on campus. The CDC has indicated boosters may soon be required to meet the definition of "fully vaccinated," so the University may require them per CDC guidance during the spring semester.
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation as we look forward to a successful spring 2022 semester.
Duquesne University
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities
for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly
8,000 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them
work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic
programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh
region have earned national acclaim.
It's time for bigger goals. Follow Duquesne University on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.
www.duq.edu