The Student Health Center provides a variety of COVID-19 testing options based on your symptoms.
With few exceptions, most COVID-19 testing available through the SHC is provided at no charge to the student or employee. For more information see the below links.
Free At-home COVID-19 Tests:
The Federal government has COVID-19 At-home Test Kits available for request at no cost. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order two sets of four free at-home test kits. A total of eight kits may be ordered. Order your kits online at: https://www.covidtests.gov/
If you need help placing an order for your at-home tests, you may call 1-800-232-0233(TTY 1-888-720-7489).
EverlyWell COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit:
For faculty, staff, and students who are asymptomatic or those with only mild symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
Those with moderate to severe symptoms and those with mild to moderate symptoms who also have risk factors for the development of severe disease or hospitalization should first call their healthcare provider before being tested.
Test Specimen: The EverlyWell Test Kit specimen is a self-collected PCR test. Kits are available for pick-up at the Student Health Center between 10 am -2 pm, Monday through Friday.
Note: The State of Tennessee has approved an extension on the expiration dates of the EverlyWell Kits distributed by the SHC. The new expiration date will be noted on the kit distributed to you.
Results: The results are usually available within 48 to 72 hours and are forwarded via text directly to the individual tested (see “Obtaining Hard-Copy Test results” below). Please do not call the SHC for your results.
Click on the “EverlyWell COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit” link above for more information.
SHC Sick Clinic:
For students with moderate to severe symptoms of COVID-19 infection or with mild to moderate symptoms who also have risk factors for the development of severe disease or hospitalization.
You must first speak with a Telephone Triage Nurse to be scheduled an appointment.
SHC COVID-19 Tests:
COVID-19 tests performed in our SHC Lab currently include the following:
- Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (Patient Fact Sheet)
- Quidel QuickVue SARS Antigen Test (Patient Fact Sheet)
Dependent on your health circumstances and test availability, the COVID-19 test you have performed could also be a send-out test to a reference lab.
Currently, COVID-19 tests are not yet FDA-approved but have been made available under an emergency access mechanism called an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
Test Specimen: The test specimen is provider-collected at the SHC and performed by appointment only.
Results: The results are available from the time of your visit or may take up to 48 hours to receive, dependent on the test you received. Students will be advised of their results at their visit when possible or receive a Secure Message regarding their results as soon as they are received through the SHC. Please do not call the SHC for your results unless you have not been notified and it is beyond the timeframe noted above.
Click on the ” SHC Sick Clinic” link above for more information.
Hospital Emergency Room:
Those experiencing emergency warning signs*** of infection should seek immediate evaluation and care through the nearest Emergency Room. These signs may include:
Shortness of breath
Difficulty or Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face
***This list is not all possible emergency warning signs.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Obtaining Hard-Copy Test results
You can create an account with the reference lab where your test sample was sent. Then, when your test results are available, you can download and print an official copy of your test report:
- Faculty, staff, and students using an EverlyWell Kit will create their account when they register their test with the receiving reference lab online,
- Students who have purchased the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance may go to LabCorp to create their account, and
- Students with health insurance other than the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance or no health insurance may go to PathGroup to create their accounts.