MEMORANDUM

To:                   The Dalhousie University communiy

From:               Frank Harvey, Provost and Vice-President Academic

Date:                Thursday, June 3, 2021

Re:                   On-campus asymptomatic COVID-19 rapid testing clinic opens June 8

COVID-19 testing is an important part of stopping the spread of COVID-19 and keeping one another safe. As Nova Scotia’s reopening strategy gets underway, and as more faculty, staff and students prepare to return to campus, regular testing becomes even more important.

To make access to testing even more convenient for the Dal community, Dalhousie University has collaborated with Nova Scotia Public Health to launch a self-swab COVID-19 rapid screening program for faculty, staff and students on the Carleton campus. Appointments are required and can now be booked for dates beginning June 8.

Who can get tested?

The Dalhousie testing clinic is only open to faculty, students, and staff, and appointments must be booked in advance. (No walk-ins will be accepted). Those being tested also need to meet all the following requirements: 

·       Be asymptomatic (do not have any symptoms of COVID-19)

·       Have not had any contact with a known positive case of COVID-19 

·       Have not left Nova Scotia in the past 14 days (except for travel to approved jurisdictions)

·       Were not at any exposure locations noted by Public Health

People who do not meet these requirements or are based in other Dal locations outside of Halifax should seek out testing through Nova Scotia Health.

In a self-swab model, faculty, staff and students will take their own sample and the process will be instructed and observed by a trained swabber. The swabber will wear mask, gloves and face shield and the participant takes their own sample and puts it into the collection tube. Participants will receive their test results by text message or phone call in about 30-40 minutes. NS Health will provide access to a software system that assigns a random code to each test, so confidentiality is maintained. Results are sent automatically from the same software system.

Testing site location and hours of operation

Rapid tests will be available on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons beginning Thursday, June 8 in the Collaborative Health Education Building (CHEB) rooms 140 and 150. Access to the building will be available using Summer Street entrance only.

Hours of operation

Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., except for June 10 and July 8 when the hours will be 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

How to book an appointment

Asymptomatic testing will be available by appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted.

To book an appointment, please select the desired 15-minute timeslot from the DalCard Online Self-Service Website. You can find the appointments by clicking on the “purchase” tab and selecting “events.” Comprehensive instructions on how to book your appointment can be found here. Appointments are currently available for the first three weeks of testing. Note: You must arrive within your 15-minute slot.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Project Lead at: dalcovid@dal.ca.

It is important to note that rapid testing does not replace the need for following the public health protocols (maintaining physical distance of 6 feet/2 metres, wearing masks, washing hands, etc.), nor does it replace the need for vaccination. Testing complements all other public health measures. A negative result on the rapid self test is not a guarantee. You could still develop or be exposed to COVID-19 in the coming days.

Sincerely,

Frank Harvey

Provost and Vice-President Academic