Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,
Starting in mid–November, we will transition to a new COVID-19 testing system on our campuses. Saliva-based PCR tests will be available at no charge to Georgetown community members via six “smart” vending machines located at the Main Campus, Medical Center, Law Center and School of Continuing Studies.
New Testing Process
The University is partnering with Shield T3 Health, a higher education COVID-19 testing service provider, to provide this new easy-to-use and quick-turnaround testing model to support our ongoing public health efforts. Saliva-based PCR testing provides the same accuracy as nasal swabs, and this new system will provide our community with greater flexibility regarding testing and enable our campus testing sites to become available again for other events and activities.
In the new testing process, you will be able to order a test via your smartphone and pick it up at any time from a Shield T3 vending machine on campus, instead of needing to make an appointment. (Note: There will be an alternative process for community members who do not have a smartphone.) You can take the test at any time, as long as it’s one hour after eating or drinking, and return it to a dropbox next to the vending machine. It will then be collected for lab testing, and results will be reported directly to you and Georgetown’s Public Health team.
We will be installing the vending machines over the next few days. They will not be operational while we complete the setup process.
We will share additional step-by-step instructions by email and on the COVID-19 Testing Protocol page in advance of the launch of this new testing process in mid-November.
Testing Transition
To help with the transition to our new testing system, the current appointment-based One Medical PCR testing will continue to be offered through the following dates:
- Ginsburg Sport & Fitness Center: Wednesday, November 30
- Leavey Center Ballroom: Thursday, December 22
Antigen testing will continue to be available to all community members as needed, although PCR testing remains the preferred testing method.
One Medical Mindset virtual mental health resources will continue to be available to full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff beyond these dates. For more information about the full range of mental health and well-being resources available to students, faculty and staff, please visit the Every Hoya Cares website.
Please reach out to Georgetown’s Public Health team at carenavigators@georgetown.edu if you have any questions.
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our community healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
Ranit Mishori, M.D., MHS, FAAFP
Professor of Family Medicine, Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer