Testing
Robust, frequent and preventive viral testing, along with public health measures to mitigate transmission, is critical to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the Cornell community and greater Ithaca area.
The protocol consists of screening students prior to and upon arrival to campus ("arrival testing") and ongoing, frequent screening of students who live on campus or in the Ithaca area, as well as faculty and staff who are routinely on campus ("surveillance testing"). These measures allow the university to quickly identify and isolate infected individuals and any possible close contacts. Participation is required by the Cornell Student Behavioral Compact and the employee expectations attestation in the Daily Check tool.
Arrival testing for students concluded on Sept. 1. Students arriving on campus after the start of classes on Sept. 2 must contact covidtesting@cornell.edu to schedule your arrival testing.
Questions about testing? Contact covidtesting@cornell.edu.
Surveillance Testing
A preventive public health measure
All students living on campus or off campus in the greater Ithaca area, as well as employees who are reporting to campus, are required to participate in ongoing "surveillance testing" throughout the fall semester. Because COVID-19 infection is often asymptomatic, early identification of individuals harboring the virus requires regular surveillance testing.
You can review assigned testing day(s) and frequency and receive reminder notifications through the Daily Check.
Feeling ill or experiencing COVID symptoms?
Testing for Cause
Immediate medical care
Cornell community members who develop symptoms of COVID-19, or are notified that they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, should not report to a surveillance testing site.
Students: Call Cornell Health at 607-255-5155 for an immediate appointment. Employees: Seek testing at the Cayuga Health sampling site at the Ithaca Mall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my ‘arrival test’ results? How do I access my results?
Results are available within 24 hours and will be posted to the Cayuga Health patient portal.
If you have a Patient Portal Login:
- Go to mycayugahealth.cayugamed.org
- Sign in with your portal account
- Click on Health Record and then Results
If you do not have a Patient Portal Login:
- Go to mycayugahealth.cayugamed.org
- Click on the Sign Up link and fill in the enrollment information
- Receive an immediate email confirmation and create your login/password
- Click on Health Record and then Results
If you need assistance with your patient portal account, email mycayugahealthsupport@cayugamed.org or call 607-319-5708.
What should I do to make sure I’m healthy before traveling to Ithaca?
Prior to departing for Ithaca, all students are asked to quarantine for 14 days and, if possible, obtain a COVID-19 PCR test in their local area. Any students who test positive will need to obtain medical clearance from Cornell Health before arrival in Ithaca. Testing before returning to Ithaca does not exempt you from the subsequent initial and ongoing testing requirements outlined above.
In addition, follow personal health guidelines, including scrupulous attention to hand hygiene, adherence to physical distancing and avoiding large gatherings, and, most importantly, wearing facial coverings as required.
What is the Cornell Behavioral Compact?
In order to maintain a safe, educational and vibrant learning environment for all members of our community, all students in the Ithaca area this fall are required to abide by the Cornell Behavioral Compact, which includes a robust testing program. Additionally, the Behavioral Compact has three important components:
- A COVID-19 educational training course that you must complete that explains Cornell's public health approach to prevention and the emerging research and concepts underlying it.
- A brief quiz that you must pass.
- Your formal attestation of the Behavioral Compact once you have reviewed it in its entirety.
Students who reside in on-campus housing also will be subject to additional requirements under their housing contract.
What is the Re-entry Checklist? Can I update the checklist if my plans change?
Required information for the Re-Entry Checklist includes, among other items, a local address for the fall semester (if you will be living off campus in the Ithaca area) and emergency contact information. In addition, be sure to provide the address where you have been for the two weeks immediately preceding your travel to Ithaca. This will be important for students who may be traveling from areas other than their permanent address.
Students living off campus should also schedule their required arrival test through the re-entry checklist. If you are already living in the Ithaca area and have not done so already, schedule your test through the Re-entry Checklist today.
If your plans have changed, please update your fall housing and arrival information on the re-entry checklist. If you have not yet submitted your housing information as part of the Re-entry Checklist, please do as soon as possible.