August 20, 2021 — Baseline COVID-19 Testing Instructions

Dear Whitman community,

As Peter Harvey announced last week in his email on Fall 2021 COVID-19 Protocols, we will carry out baseline COVID-19 testing for our entire community. All students, staff and faculty will be tested twice. The schedule is as follows:

Round 1 of testing will take place August 23-27 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cordiner Hall:

August 23: employees
August 24: employees; any employee or student already in town who is required to take a weekly test due to an approved vaccination exemption
August 25: first years and transfer students
August 26 and 27: returning students
August 30: returning students

The dates listed above are suggestions to help us manage the flow of testing; if you are unable to attend the day suggested for you above, you may come a different day for your first test. Please note that your second test date is determined by the date of your first test.

Round 2 of testing will take place August 31–September 3 and September 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cordiner Hall.

August 31: those who tested August 23 and anyone required to take a weekly test due to an approved vaccination exemption
September 1: those who tested August 24
September 2: those who tested August 25
September 3: those who tested August 26 and 27
September 7: those who tested August 27 and 30 and anyone required to take a weekly test due to an approved vaccination exemption 

This will be a self-administered test using a saliva sample. Here’s a quick overview of the testing process:

1. You should not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or brush your teeth for 30 minutes before coming for your test. You should not use mouthwash for two hours prior to testing.

2. Bring your Whitman ID card. If you do not yet have your fall campus access approval sticker, you will need to get that at a table outside Cordiner before you are allowed to enter the testing area.

3. View the instruction sheet for details on how to provide the saliva sample. These instructions will also be posted in the testing area.

4. If your specimen is in a sample pool that is negative for COVID-19, you will receive a notification email from the processing lab, Meenta (support@meenta.io).

5. If your specimen is in a sample pool that shows positivity for COVID-19, you will receive a phone call with further instructions.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days, you still must come to the baseline COVID-19 testing. When you arrive to check-in you will be given further instructions.

Face Masks Available
If you are a returning student or employee and are in need of a new face mask, please request one when you check in at COVID testing. New students will receive three face masks in their welcome bags.

If you have any questions, please contact covidtesting@whitman.edu.