COVID-19 Testing for CUIMC Students

^{Updated April 2, 2021}

Diagnostic Testing

CUIMC students who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or concerns about an exposure should immediately self-isolate and schedule a telehealth appointment with Medical Services through the Student Health portal.

Make an Appointment

Gateway and Surveillance Testing

All CUIMC Students living on or off campus will be tested upon arrival to campus through the gateway testing program. A random sample of Columbia affiliates will be re-tested weekly throughout the term. Students living in Columbia Residential dormitory-style housing will undergo more frequent testing throughout the term.

All Columbia affiliates are also required to attest to a daily symptom self-check via the ReopenCU app.

Return from Travel Testing

View guidance on CUIMC student travel-related quarantine and testing requirments:
- COVID-19 Travel-Related and Exposure Quarantine Guidance for Clinical Students
- COVID-19 Travel-Related and Exposure Quarantine Guidance for Non-Clinical Students
Students who are eligible for testing in order to return to clinical placement can schedule an appointment at the CUIMC Schaefer Gallery testing site using the Columbia University Health online testing portal.
Students should consider the anticipated time to receive the test result when making their plans for travel.
- For the Columbia Testing site, results take approximately 36 hours.
- For commercial labs, the range is anywhere from three days to 14 days and fluctuates according to any surges around the country.
Other testing locations, include rapid testing sites, are available:

Students having difficulty obtaining a test should contact Student Health by calling 212-305-3400 for assistance.

Voluntary Testing Now Available

In addition to the ongoing surveillance testing program the University has increased options to include weekly voluntary testing for those accessing campus regularly. For voluntary testing, select the “voluntary testing” option when scheduling online through the Columbia University Health portal. Voluntary testing is currently available at the William Black Building (CUIMC) and Lerner Hall (Morningside) locations.

Students Who Test Positive for COVID-19

Students living on or off campus who test positive (also known as "cases") will be asked to isolate at home for at least 10 days and until Medical Services, in collaboration with the Columbia University Test and Trace Program, provides clearance to return to campus. Student Health will work with students who are unable to safely isolate to connect with the necessary resources for successful isolation.
Close contacts of cases will be asked to quarantine for 10 days unless they meet appropriate exemption criteria, and will be contacted by the Columbia University Test and Trace Program. No identifying information about positive cases will be shared with contacts or disclosed to faculty or other Columbia affiliates without expressed consent from the case.
Regardless of location, all students who test positive for COVID-19 will receive daily medical support through telehealth from Medical Services and can elect to receive additional support and resources from Student Health and Columbia University.
Students will be able to take classes remotely, with any necessary academic accommodations.

Learn More about Isolation and Quarantine

Cost

Students will not incur out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 PCR tests conducted through the Columbia Testing Program. These requirements may change based upon public health conditions and guidance.