Testing, Vaccines and Face Coverings

Should you need to test for COVID-19, be advised that a PCR test is considered more reliable. As of April 18, 2023, the only dose of COVID-19 vaccine that should be used is the current bivalent version as per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In terms of face coverings, please note that faculty, staff, and event organizers on campus may still wish to require masks in their classrooms, at select events, and in health care settings.

COVID Testing

Students and employees are encouraged to report positive cases or exposures to the University, as well as report any positive tests to the Clark County Combined Health District. Students can email deanofstudents@wittenberg.edu, and employees can email hure-mail@wittenberg.edu. Reporting is for information purposes only. You may not receive a response.

If an individual is exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, they do not need to quarantine, but should monitor for symptoms, wear a face mask when around others for 10 days, and get tested on day 5 (day 0 is the day of last exposure to someone with COVID-19). If this test is positive, they should isolate immediately and follow isolation guidelines. Click here for more on COVID-19 Exposure and Isolation Recommendations from the Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD).

If you have symptoms, test immediately, but be advised that:

  • If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable test result, especially if negative.
  • If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
  • If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
  • If your second antigen test is also negative, wait another 48 hours and test a third time.
  • If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test.

Symptom Chart

New York Times Symptom Checker
Graphic Courtesy of The New York Times

Testing can be helpful even when you don’t have symptoms or a recent exposure to COVID-19, such as before an event or visiting someone at higher risk. Test as close to the time of the event as possible (at least within 1-2 days) to help you make informed decisions about your health and your risk of spreading COVID-19 to others.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus discovered in 2019. The virus spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

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