UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

How do I get a test?

If you a UWRF student and are experiencing symptoms you should complete an online screening for assessment. A health professional will contact you to review the screening results and determine if testing is required. If testing is required, an appointment will be made. 

Even if you are not experiencing symptoms at this time, you can get tested. Follow these steps:

  • Complete an online screening 
  • Schedule an appointment for your COVID-19 test 
  • On the day of your test, arrive on time at Second Floor South, Hagestad Hall and bring your student ID.
  • Testing will be professionally administered and should only take a few minutes with results available within 15 minutes. Depending on the results, appropriate information and medical advice will be presented.

Where can I get a test?

Testing will be offered to UWRF students on the second floor of Hagestad Hall weekdays from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Students may also use the university health care provider (Vibrant Health Clinic in River Falls) through Student Health Services or their own provider for testing.

Why should I get a test if I'm not experiencing any symptoms?

Even if you are not experiencing symptoms at this time, you can get tested to help keep our campus community safe. It is important to realize that you can be infected and spread the virus but feel well and have no symptoms. 

What can I expect on the day of the test?

On the day of the test, you should arrive at Hagestad Hall, second floor. For this process to function smoothly, it is critical that you pay attention to the date and time of your appointment. Other things to note:

  • Bring your ID.
  • Testing should only take about five minutes to complete. 
  • Antigen test results will be available in 15 minutes.
  • Depending on the results, appropriate information and medical advice will be presented and additional PCR testing may be required.

COVID-19

Tests done on campus will be analyzed using two types of technology: antigen and PCR. Both tests will be done using a simple nasal swab (not a nasopharyngeal swab which probes deeper into the nasal cavity).

Antigen tests identify the presence of certain proteins on the surface of the virus. Results can be provided within a few minutes to allow quick identification of probable COVID-19 cases. A positive antigen test means you likely have COVID-19 and you will need to begin the isolation process. 

PCR tests detect the genetic material of the virus that causes COVID-19. This test is highly sensitive and specific and is considered an accurate diagnostic test. A positive PCR test means you have COVID-19 and you will be required to isolate.

If you have symptoms and the antigen test is negative a confirmatory PCR test is needed to ensure you are not infected. You must stay isolated until the PCR test comes back. 

 

 

  1. Try not to worry too much.

  2. Limit contact with others.

  3. Email your professors/supervisors. Let them know that you won't be in class or at work.

  4. Prepare a "ready bag". Include some comfy clothes, toiletries, your medications and non-perishable snacks you have on hand (don't go shopping!).

  5. Monitor your symptoms. If you become sicker, contact a health care provider.

  6. Get enough sleep and eat healthy food.

 

  • Take a deep breath. We're here to help you with what happens next.
  • You will be required to isolate.
    • If you are living on-campus, a member of the UWRF Quarantine and Isolation Support Team will be contacting you shortly to discuss isolation placement.
    • If you are living off-campus and have NOT indicated a need for UWRF assisted space, please isolate away from others until you are contacted by a member of the UWRF Contact Tracing Team.
    • If you are living off-campus and have indicated a need for UWRF assisted space, a member of the UWRF Quarantine and Isolation Support Team will be contacting you shortly to discuss isolation placement.
  • Pierce County Public Health will contact you to discuss your positive test result and conduct an initial investigation to obtain background information.
  • The UWRF Contact Tracing Team will reach out to discuss your infectious and isolation timeline. They will also ask you questions about your contacts (household, close, and intermediate) to help minimize the spread of the virus.
  • Email your professors/supervisors. Let them know that you won't be in class or at work.
  • We will make sure you receive delivered meals from campus. Please do not use dining facilities on campus.

You must isolate until:

  • You are fever free for at least 12 hours without using fever reducing medication AND
  • Your symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (not including lost of taste or smell) AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since you first had symptoms.
  • Even if you don't have symptoms, you will be required to isolate the full 10 days.

* Fees may apply for students not on a dining contract.

 

 

 

  1. Breathe a sigh of relief and call/text your people.
  2. Continue to practice preventative measures. (Wear. Watch. Wash. Repeat.)
  3. Get enough sleep and eat healthy food.
  4. Get retested in two weeks.
  5. Encourage your friends to also get tested. Spread the word not the virus.
  6. Continue to self-monitor for symptoms.

1. You will be given a follow-up test to confirm that your result is negative.

2. Limit contact significantly with others until your test results come back. Usually 2-4 days.

3. Get enough sleep and eat healthy food.

4. Monitor your symptoms. If you become sicker, contact a health care provider.

Do not go to work if:

  • You have tested positive for COVID-19
  • You are in quarantine or isolation
  • Have symptoms of COVID-19

 

Contact tracing

One of the most important things that UWRF can do to support public health efforts in fighting the spread of the virus will be to maintain attendance tracking logs. If individuals test positive, these logs will be used to identify and inform any close contacts who may have been exposed. It is important to answer calls from the contact tracers. No personal data will be shared with anyone other than Public Health or their designees.

Please use the Centralized Attendance Tracking System every time you are gathering in a space on campus.

Stopping the spread


Limiting contact

If you are waiting to be tested and have symptoms, stay where you currently reside and avoid contact with individuals outside of your household unit to the extent possible. If you have questions about going to class or to work, contact your instructor or supervisor.

Quarantine

Students who have been in close contact with an infected individual will be required to quarantine. Each student in a university designated quarantine space will be provided with three meals and two snacks per day.* Students may elect to return home to quarantine. Learn more about quarantine here.

Isolation

Students who have received positive COVID-19 test results will be required to isolate. Students may elect to return home to isolate. 

  • Be safe. Remember, you are in ISOLATION. Please wear a mask and socially distance from others. Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, wipe down frequently used surfaces often.
  • Be healthy. Stay healthy, eat meals. Talk with your roommate from your residence hall about helping you to get your meals. If you are on the campus dining plan, go here for more information: https://www.uwrf.edu/Dining/FAQ.cfm Please minimize use of restrooms and public spaces and wipe down all surfaces. Fees may apply for students not on a dining contract.
  • Be prepared. Review the Isolation packing list. Be expecting phone calls from the UWRF Quarantine and Isolation Support Team, Pierce County Public Health, and the UWRF Contact Tracing Team.  Depending upon your arrival time at your isolation placement, campus meals may not be delivered until the next day. Plan accordingly, bring snacks. 

Learn more about isolation here.