Falcons Forward

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Falcons Forward

How do I get a COVID-19 test?

Testing is available for students, employees and the community at the testing site at Hagestad Hall. Appointments are required. Appointments can be scheduled here.

Community members experiencing problems scheduling an appointment or receiving test results can reach out to Weber Health Logistics at their helpline: 608-855-9191.

Will there be free COVID-19 vaccine or booster clinics on campus?

Freeman Drug - Pfizer Booster on Thursday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m.-noon, Riverview Ballroom (second floor of the University Center)

To receive your booster, it must be five months (Pfizer) or six months (Moderna) since completing your initial series or two months (J&J) since receiving your first dose.
Booster doses do not have to match your primary series vaccine, it is okay to mix and match vaccines.
Please bring your vaccine record card with you.
First and second dose recipients are welcome! If you receive your first dose of Pfizer, you are responsible for scheduling your second dose at another location (or with Freeman Drug).

Sign up (by appointment only, no walk-ins) at https://freemandrug.as.me/falcon. If there are no times listed at the link, all time slots have been taken. To find other vaccine options, visit vaccines.gov.

Pierce County Public Health - Moderna and J&J Boosters on Thursday, Jan. 27, from 1-4 p.m., Riverview Ballroom (second floor of the University Center)

To receive your booster, it must be 5 months (Pfizer) or 6 months (Moderna) since completing your initial series or 2 months (J&J) since receiving your first dose.
Booster doses do not have to match your primary series vaccine, it is okay to mix and match vaccines.
Please bring your vaccine record card with you.
1st and 2nd dose recipients are welcome! If you receive your 1st dose of Moderna, you are responsible for scheduling your 2nd dose at another location (or with Pierce County Public Health).

Pierce County Public Health Sign up (by appointment only, no walk-in) https://piercecountycovid19vaccine.as.me/UWRF. If there are no times listed at the link, all time slots have been taken (visit the link below to find other vaccination options).

To find vaccine appointments, visit vaccines.gov.

How can I get an exemption from required COVID-19 testing?

You can be exempted from required testing for the following reasons:

You are vaccinated. Please upload your vaccination information in the COVID-19 portal.
You are 100% online, not living in residence halls and have no other reason to be on campus during this testing period. Notify us of your off-campus status in the COVID-19 portal.
You received a negative test result off-campus during the testing period. Upload an image of your negative results in the COVID-19 portal.
You tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days (this only applies if you tested positive off-campus). Upload an image of your positive results in the COVID-19 portal
You have an approved medical exemption (i.e. recent nasal surgery). Email student.health.services@uwrf.edu for medical-related exemptions. For non-medical exemptions (i.e. religious), email student.success@uwrf.edu.

Can I use an at-home test to meet testing obligations?

The current guidance from Public Health is that home tests can’t be used as proof of COVID testing (for example, there is ability to verify who the test belonged to). As such, they are not acceptable for things such as air travel, workplace requirements and more, nor are they sufficient to meet UWRF's testing obligations.

VAULT saliva tests are acceptable because they are proctored by a professional over Zoom.

At-home tests are ideal for testing before visiting at-risk people, etc. and should be administered day of. Keep in mind that is peak season for a variety of illnesses that are similar to COVID-19, including Flu A and RSV.

What if I test positive?

If you test positive, please follow these steps:

Step 1: Plan to go home and isolate ASAP. If you can go home to your permanent residence, please do so. If you are unable to go home, please contact your Case Manager to determine a location to isolate.

Step 2: Notify your Resident Assistant (if living on campus).

Step 3: Tell your close contacts (such as your roommate).

Step 4: Inform your instructors and supervisors. Be sure you talk with your professors regarding how to manage your absence from class.

Step 5: Return to campus after following the most recent CDC guidance found here.

Additional guidance can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/diagnosed.htm and https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02803.pdf

What if I am a close contact and not vaccinated?

Step 1: Get tested ASAP. Find a test at https://uwrf.vivi.healthcare/. If positive, follow the steps above.

Step 2: Quarantine at home for 10 days and monitor symptoms.

Step 3: Quarantine time at home may be shortened to 7 days provided a person receives a negative test result that was collected on day 6 or 7. See CDC guidelines here.

What if I am a close contact and fully vaccinated?

Step 1: You do not need to quarantine.

Step 2: It is recommended you get tested 3-5 days after close contact.

Step 3: Monitor symptoms for 14 days after your last close contact.

Step 4: Isolate at home if you develop symptoms or test positive. If you test positive, follow the steps above.

For updated information, please check this page often as changes can happen quickly.

When can I return to campus after testing positive for COVID-19?

Please see the CDC guidance here.

Everyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 should:

Stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days. Day 0 is the first day symptoms began or the day that your positive COVID-19 test was taken (if you don’t have symptoms).
Wear a well-fitting mask when around others for an additional 5 days.

What is the latest COVID-19 guidance for face coverings and testing?

Face coverings: Face coverings will remain required indoors when 6-foot distancing is not possible. Read the full policy here.

COVID-19 testing (UPDATED 1/20/22): Based on consultation with Pierce County Public Health, our testing protocols are being updated for the start of spring semester as follows:

All unvaccinated studentsand employees will have one required testing obligation the week of January 24-28. You will receive your testing obligation via your campus email address. Exemption information can be found here.

UWRF continues to offer free COVID-19 testing on campus in Hagestad Hall for the campus and greater community. Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is expected to be tested as soon as possible. Anyone who is symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, is strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 test.