DePaul has begun offering a mail-in COVID-19 test kit for faculty, staff and students who need timely testing and are having difficulty finding an easily accessible testing site.
The university is contracting with LabCorp to provide the free PCR home test. It is available to current students, faculty and staff residing in the United States. LabCorp will share results with the sender approximately two days after receiving the test kit.
DePaul is offering the free mail-in tests to break down barriers to testing for students, faculty and staff who may not have other options.
To request a kit, call DePaul's contact tracing team at (773) 325-3300, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for information.
More information on accessing COVID-19 testing can be found on DePaul's COVID-19 testing website.
When the fall quarter began, DePaul opted not to adopt widespread COVID-19 testing as a screening mechanism of people who are coming on campus. The university's decision was based on thoroughly reviewing best practices, public health recommendations and science-based research, and consulting with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).
As more becomes known about COVID-19 and testing becomes more available, DePaul is continuing to review additional options for FDA-approved COVID-19 testing for DePaul students, faculty, and staff. This includes continuing to work with CDPH to follow its recommendations for frequency and type of testing.
Please keep in mind that testing is only one part of preventing or slowing the spread of COVID-19. Follow these important measures to keep yourself and those around you safe:
- Face coverings: Cloth face coverings that cover one's face and mouth must be worn at all times on DePaul grounds, both indoors and outdoors.
- Physical distancing: Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others, whether you are indoors or outdoors.
- Personal hygiene: Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your face, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
- Personal care: Stay home if you are sick, avoid close contact with others who are sick, and always use the #CampusClear app before you visit campus.
- Online training: Complete DePaul's mandatory 20-minute training to learn other important safety tips.
Please keep in mind that all faculty, staff and students must inform the university if they have tested positive for COVID-19, received a COVID-19 diagnosis, they learn of a positive case of COVID-19 at DePaul or they believe they were exposed to COVID-19. If you believe you have COVD-19 symptoms, it is also important that you contact the university. This will allow the university to provide the resources and support people need, and also determine if others were exposed and may be at risk.
Keeping the DePaul community healthy requires a collective effort. Thank you for taking care of each other. We're all in this together.