Robert Taylor
Contributing Writer
Dominican University has stopped free PCR COVID-19 testing for students at the wellness center. The university still encourages students to use the COVID tracker to report all positive cases.
At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Dominican students were required to report their symptoms on the Campus Clear app every day because of how deadly the virus was. Dominican also offered free testing to students available on campus, but at the start of the 2023 Spring semester Dominican decided to cut some of these procedures.
Dominican University decided to stop free PCR COVID testing for students after its partner “Ravina”, a COVID testing and treatment service, has put the operations on pause but still offers a free antigen test.
Liz Heintz, Assistant Clinical Director of the Health & Wellness Center, said she doubts that Dominican students will ever have this option to have free PCR testing again.
“With federal funding ending and the readily availability of home tests, I doubt we will offer it again,” Heintz said.
The Wellness Center still recommends students to keep up with possible symptoms of COVID and remember that if the test result is positive, the CDC still requires isolation.
If students test positive, they must isolate themselves for five days and must wear a mask when they are outside for five days after that.
To have accessibility to free antigen testing from the Wellness Center, students will have to make an appointment by calling, or on the online portal. The Wellness Center is on the lower level of Coughlin Hall, between the Fitness Center and the Student Involvement Center.
To receive these tests all you must be is a Dominican student. It isn’t taken into regard if the student is a part time, full time, undergraduate, resident, or commuter.
