Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Confirmation testing
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If I test positive at the Surveillance Testing Center, do I need a second test?
If you test positive at the Surveillance Testing Center, you will be considered to have COVID-19. No further testing will change that designation. Since the Health Department is in charge of determining those who must isolate, Binghamton University does not have the ability to alter this requirement; therefore, no further testing will be done and you must isolate.
Diagnostic testing
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What if I have symptoms and decline to have a PCR test done?
If you have symptoms and do not get tested, you will not know for sure whether you have COVID-19 and could spread this infection to others on campus.
In addition, if you are infected now, you might test positive for up to three months. If you test positive at a later date, such as before you travel, it may cause difficulties for you.
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Can I trust a negative result early in the course of my symptoms?
When infected with the SARS-CoV-2 variants BA-4 and BA-5, it may take 3–5 days for an individual to develop a positive test. Students whose symptoms seem consistent with COVID-19 but are testing negative with a home test should continue their self-isolation and make an appointment with a medical provider at the Decker Student Health Services Center via the student patient portal. -
Why is it that only students with symptoms may get tested for COVID-19 at DSHSC?
DSHSC runs a diagnostic service for students. Diagnostic testing is different than surveillance testing in that it is only done on people who have symptoms or who have been directly exposed to COVID-19. The accuracy of diagnostic COVID-19 test results depends on the pre-test probability of the person being tested actually having COVID-19. This, in turn, depends on whether symptoms are present. DSHSC wants to have the most accurate results possible for students. -
Can I get a hard copy of my test results after receiving a PCR test at DSHSC?
You may request a hard copy of your test results by sending a secure message to the provider "OnlineNurs" in the student patient portal. You will receive a copy of your lab result by return secure message within 5–7 days. -
Do I need to upload my positive test results if the positive test was administered
on campus?
No. Students do NOT need to upload proof of a positive COVID test to the Decker student health portal if the test was administered on campus at the Surveillance Testing Center or at Decker Student Health Services Center.
Reporting positive results received from a home test or an off-campus provider
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If I live on campus, do I have to report a positive result from a home test kit or
one received from a test administered off campus to the University?
Yes. Any residential student who tests positive for COVID-19 on a home test or on a test administered by a provider off campus must report their positive test to the University and enter isolation. To report an off-campus test result (e.g. a result from a test not administered at Decker Student Health Services Center or the Surveillance Testing Center), students must email Safe Housing at safehousing@binghamton.edu as soon as possible after receiving the positive result.
The email must include your B-number, cell phone number and the date of your positive test.
University staff will call you at the number you provided to follow up and discuss your isolation options as soon as possible. In the meantime, wear a mask, stay in your room and monitor your phone.
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What do I do if I have a positive home test for COVID-19 while I am in Binghamton?
A major drawback of home tests for the self-diagnosis of COVID-19 is that they do not automatically get reported to any medical provider or official at the Department of Health, so no contact with the ill person is made, and no contact investigation to identify at-risk individuals is done.
If you have a positive home COVID-19 test while you are in Binghamton, regardless of whether you live on or off campus:
- Immediately put on a mask and avoid contact with other people.
- Write your name, date of birth and the date you performed the test on the test device
and then place it in a sealed plastic bag in case a medical professional requests
to see it.
- Upload a photo of the test device to the student health portal using the "COVID Positive Test Results" function.
- In the accompanying message, indicate the EXACT date your symptoms began or that you have no symptoms.
- Immediately report your positive test result to the Broome County Health Department using this short survey. This will ensure that you are contacted by them and individuals you have exposed are identified.
If you live on campus:
- Follow the instructions in the previous FAQ.
If you live off campus:
- Isolate in the bedroom of your apartment until you are contacted by a University or other health official.