Dear Members of the Campus Community,

I hope you had an enjoyable break, and I write with these important reminders about returning to campus and our most recent campus testing date.

As many of you are aware, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department was overwhelmed by the increase in testing requests, and the lab has been delayed in sending out results from our Nov. 18 campus testing date. They prioritize notifying individuals about positive tests but report they are still working on getting out the results to our community. Those who would like updates or ask about your results can call Dispatch Health at 833.723.0490, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–4 p.m.

Students Living on Campus

  • All residential students must quarantine after the Thanksgiving break until they are tested and receive a negative COVID-19 test result. Students may leave quarantine to get food and be tested (and wear a mask and stay six feet away from others).
  • All residential students are required to test during our next campus testing day, Thursday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., in the Wheelock Student Center parking lot. Please do not eat or drink or otherwise remove your mask while waiting in line for your test; masks should cover both the nose and mouth. We are working to mitigate long lines, but please dress warmly and be prepared to wait if necessary. Please maintain six feet of distance from others.
  • If you are a residential student and choose to test at an off-campus location, it is your responsibility to share proof of testing, not results, with Debbie Chee, dchee@pugetsound.edu, in Residence Life. Positive test results should be shared with CHWS.

All Campus Community Members

  • CHWS recommends that anyone (students, faculty, or staff members) traveling out of state quarantine for 14 days upon return.
  • CHWS recommends that anyone who gathers with people outside their households quarantine until completing COVID-19 testing and receiving a negative result (either at the Dec. 3 campus testing or any testing location of your choice). It is best to wait to test until at least five days after potential exposure. Additional testing resources are available at: https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/diseases/covid-19/testing-information. Staff members may use their accrued sick leave or vacation hours while they are in quarantine.

Students Who Are Symptomatic
Any student who is symptomatic or who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus should self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of their close contact and seek guidance from their health care provider or CHWS.  

Kelly K. Brown, Ph.D. | Director
Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services.