Dear Students,
The grand opening of the skating rink is Saturday at 6 p.m., winter athletics are underway and there are plenty of other activities taking place on campus this month. Whether indoors or outdoors, there’s always something to do. Be sure to check out the event schedule on the OC app to plan your weekend fun!
This week’s OC CARES message includes important details on how you and your family can order free at-home COVID tests, vaccination clinic reminders and more. Please read it in full so that you don’t miss anything that directly impacts you.
- Order Your FREE COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit
- Administering the Test: A How To Video
- FREE OC COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Clinics, Feb. 11 and March 3
- FREE Off-Campus Vaccination Resources
Order Your FREE COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit
Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order four FREE FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests will be shipped by the U.S Postal Service generally within 7-12 days after you place your order. The goal is by having home tests available at any time, we can all help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. By testing early and within the confines of our home, we will lessen the spread of the virus.
Tips
- We encourage you and your family to order your test kit now so you have them when the need arises. (See below: “When Should You Take a Test.”)
- Have the tests shipped to your permanent residence to ensure you receive them.
- At this time, to promote broad access to all who desire the free tests, the initial program is allowing four free individual tests per residential address. If additional tests are needed and you have health insurance, your insurance will also cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home tests you purchase at a store (up to 8 at-home tests per month for each person on the insurance plan). Free testing on campus is also available to students by appointment when required. (See below: “When Should You Take a Test.”)
Click here to order your FREE at-home COVID-19 test.
Click here to learn more about the program.
Things to Know About the Tests
- These are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR.
- The test can be taken anywhere.
- Test results are given within 30 minutes in your home (no lab drop-off required).
- The test works whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms.
- The test works whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.
- These tests are also known as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests.
- Brand preference is not an option when you order as part of this program.
When Should You Take a Test
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you take an at-home test:
- If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
- At least five days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or
- When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, such as before and after spring break trips where you will be interacting with large groups of people.
- IMPORTANT: On-campus testing by appointment is still available to students who do not have access to an at-home test but are required to be tested due to close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19. Students are required to call Campus Safety at 269-749-7911 for assistance.
Reminder: Students are required to call Campus Safety at 269-749-7911 first and immediately to report any of the following:
- You have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19; or
- You experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms listed in the OC CARES Plan.
Employees are required to contact the Human Resources Department if they experience COVID-19 symptoms or come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Administering the Test: A How To Video
Wondering what you’ll need to do to administer an at-home COVID-19 test?
- WASH your hands and the surface area where you’ll administer the test.
- READ the instructions completely before opening or unwrapping anything!
- FOLLOW the instructions carefully, from START to FINISH.
- Use a TIMER to track the time required to ensure a proper test analysis.
- If in doubt, REPEAT the test.
- If you are a student on campus and DO NOT HAVE ACCESS to an at-home test, call Campus Safety at 269-7497911 for assistance.
Watch this informative four minute video below for the step-by-step process of administering an at-home test.
Reminder: There are different brands of at-home tests. The one you receive may look different than the one in the video or in the image on the government website, but how the tests are administered (nose swab, waiting for the test results) are the same regardless of brand.
Save the Dates: FREE COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Clinics
- When: Feb. 11 and March 3
- Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment necessary
- Where: Upton Gym
- Who: Any student, faculty or staff member
Pfizer and Moderna Shots Will Be Offered
- The Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations are administered in two parts and require that you return on March 3 for a follow-up shot.
- Click here to learn about the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations.
It is also important that you stay up to date on your protection against the virus by getting a booster shot when eligible.
- Pfizer: At least 5 months after your second shot.
- Moderna: At least 5 months after your second shot.
- Johnson & Johnson: At least 2 months after your shot. Good news: You are eligible to receive the Pfizer or Moderna booster shot.
- If you are receiving a booster shot, be sure to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card.
FREE Off-Campus Vaccination Resources
Olivet Pharmacy
The easiest and quickest off-campus option is the Olivet Pharmacy, 116 N. Main St. Within walking distance of campus, the Olivet Pharmacy provides vaccinations by walk-in or appointment. Call 269-280-5005 or email olivetpharmacy1@gmail.com for details.
Text 438829
An easy way to locate vaccination sites near you is to text your zip code to 438829. A service of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, within seconds you’ll receive a list of sites, the type of COVID-19 vaccination offered, if walk-ins are welcome and links to additional vaccination sites and information.
“It’s not the size of the nose that matters, it’s what’s inside that counts.” — Steve Martin, comedian