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 reporting to 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.
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 a Cayuga Health sampling site.
Need help?
The COVID-19 Support Center offers support to all members of the Cornell community for questions regarding testing, vaccines, travel and more.
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm | By phone: 9 am to 4 pm
Saturday to Sunday, 10 am to 1 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
What health and safety guidelines should students expect to follow during spring 2021?
Students must comply with state and university public health guidelines, including wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance, being aware of travel restrictions, limiting in-person gatherings, following rules for visitors, meeting flu shot requirements and complying with all Daily Check health assessment and surveillance testing requirements. The Student Behavioral Compact, and all expectations outlined within, continue in the spring semester.
How do I access my test results?
Results are available within 24-48 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 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 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 required for students returning to the U.S. from an international location?
Students are required to inform the university of their arrival date via the Spring Checklist or Daily Check portal. Students arriving from international destinations must adhere to all Cornell testing and quarantine requirements, before being permitted to access campus. The university will provide additional information on the day of your arrival.
Please review this guidance about how to quarantine safely upon arrival. The Tompkins County Health Department and Cornell Health also offer quarantine guidance, and Cornell Health provides answers to frequently asked questions by students in quarantine or isolation.
Before boarding an international flight to the United States, all air travelers, including U.S. citizens, are required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of departure. Alternately, travelers may provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 (a recent positive COVID-19 test and letter from a healthcare provider or health official approving travel). More details on this requirement and related FAQs are available on the CDC's website.