Surveillance Testing
What to expect
- Bring Cornell Tech or other photo ID and plan 15 to 20 minutes to complete your test.
- Follow the steps outlined in this video.
- Post-register with the unique barcode provided at testing by 5pm on Tuesday to access your results and aid with contact tracing efforts. This process must be followed every week.
- Continue your normal activities (with strict adherence to mask wearing and social distancing).
- You will only be contacted if evidence of COVID-19 is detected from your sample, in which case the Department of Health will contact you. Please be sure to answer calls, even if the caller is not listed in your contacts; as it may be the health department calling with important information.
- If you require isolation, please contact Cornell Tech Student Wellness at studentwellness@tech.cornell.edu.
Access test results online
Thanks to our new enhanced registration process, you can now access your test results online 24-48 hours after your test arrives in the lab by going to the Cayuga Medical Patient Portal and following the instructions below:
If you already have a Patient Portal Login:
- Sign in with your portal account (please be sure it includes the same e-mail and phone number that you used when you registered your test earlier this week)
- Click on Health Record and then Results
If you do not have a Patient Portal Login:
- Click on the Sign Up link and fill in the enrollment information (please be sure to use the same e-mail and phone number that you used when you registered your test earlier this week)
- Receive an immediate email confirmation and create your login/password
- Click on Health Record and then Results
If you need assistance with your patient portal account, email mycayugahealthsupport@cayugamed.org or call 607-319-5708.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are students expected to test?
Students, faculty, and staff who have met the criteria to come into Cornell Tech academic spaces (the Bloomberg Center and/or Tata Innovation Center) or live in The House are required to be tested weekly. Individuals who fail to be tested as instructed, will have their access to campus buildings turned off.
When and where can I be tested?
Three testing windows are available each week. Please check your email for each week’s testing windows. Testing will take place in Tata 141/151 under staff supervision.
How accurate is the test?
No medical test is 100% accurate, and tests for COVID-19 are no exception. Nevertheless, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have played a critical role in responding to the pandemic and, where used aggressively, have helped to minimize spread. Among the widely used sample sources for PCR testing, most studies have shown nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs to be most sensitive (i.e., fewer false negative results), with sensitivity estimates during the relevant part of an infection’s time course ranging from 70 to 90%.
Should I participate in the test if I am feeling sick?
If you are feeling sick, take your temperature. If fever or other cold-like symptoms are exhibited, please consult with a doctor. To reach Weill Cornell Primary Care email pcappt@med.cornell.edu to make a tele-health appointment. The doctor can review symptoms and instruct on next steps. If you are instructed to stay home, please email covid19@tech.cornell.edu to inform the COVID team that surveillance testing will be missed.
If you are feeling under the weather but not exhibiting any other COVID symptoms, come to campus to participate in testing while maintaining proper safety precautions and using appropriate PPE.
Where can I get a diagnostic test outside of the campus surveillance program?
For students in NYC looking to obtain a diagnostic COVID-19 test, you can find a free testing site near you here. For additional locations in the United States, use this tool to search by your zip code. Please note that there may be fees associated with the test. You should call ahead to find out if there is a fee. If you are getting a test for the purpose of notifying Cornell Tech of your status, only non-rapid PCR tests will qualify. For more information contact studentwellness@tech.cornell.edu.
Should I participate in surveillance testing if I am in quarantine?
The pooled surveillance testing we administer on campus is not intended for travel or other purposes. If you are quarantining, due to travel or exposure to a positive case, please do not participate in surveillance testing.
You will need to provide a negative PCR (not rapid) test at your own cost in order to resume surveillance testing.
Am I exempt from surveillance testing if I received a COVID-19 vaccination?
While the vaccine should protect you from getting sick, it unfortunately does not protect you from contracting or spreading the virus. As a result, you will be required to participate in surveillance testing (and to quarantine should you at any point test positive).
What if I test positive for COVID-19?
Whether or not you live in The House, you will be provided with instructions on how to isolate and how to obtain medical assistance, should you seek it. You are expected to cooperate with all Cornell Tech and NYC Department of Health contact tracing efforts.
If you are living in The House we will work with you and your apartment mates, as appropriate, to support your isolation. Regardless of isolation location, you will be able to purchase food to be delivered to you and will have access to virtual supportive resources throughout the extent of your isolation period. Isolation will discontinue when you have met the following three criteria: demonstrated improvement in symptoms, 24 hours fever free without the aid of fever reducing medication, and 10 days after your symptoms began.
If you have been approved for access to campus, please email COVID19@tech.cornell.edu and alert them of your result.