Take-Home COVID Tests Replace On-Campus Surveillance Saliva Test

By Office of the President | Feb 7, 2023

The Surveillance Saliva Testing Program is no longer required for employees and students at Downstate. 

In place of surveillance testing, we have obtained a supply of take-home tests from New York State that are free to Downstate faculty, staff, and students. The tests are available, with a Downstate ID, either on the first and third Tuesdays of the month between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM in the Public Health Academic Building (PHAB) Hall B (450 Clarkson Avenue) or during their regular hours of operation in either the Student or Employee Health Service at 440 Lenox Road, across from the University Hospital entrance. Instructions on administering and recognizing positive results will be provided when the home testing kit is picked up.

Employees and students who have obtained an exemption from the mandatory SUNY vaccination requirement must continue to submit to weekly PCR testing, which will now be done at Employee or Student Health Services during their regular business hours. (Note: If you are symptomatic or feel you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should obtain a PCR test either through a local testing agency or through Employee or Student Health Services.)

I want to thank Kitaw Demissie, M.D., Ph.D., School of Public Health dean and professor, who spearheaded and organized our surveillance program, and all the faculty, staff, and students who helped make this program successful. Their work was instrumental in keeping us safe and limiting COVID’s spread on our campus.  

Tags: COVID-19