News Archive & Surveillance Testing

No, as of August 2, 2022, the university does not plan to conduct surveillance testing as was previously done. Health condition in the region and on campus are stable. Should conditions change, some form of testing may be required. The university IS requiring all students to submit a negative COVID test upon return to campus this fall for residency or classes.

Surveillance testing involves testing people from across campus to identify asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals and help prevent potential outbreaks before they occur. Individuals are randomly selected from across campus to participate in the surveillance testing.

No. Current CDC and state guidance says that vaccinated persons do not need to participate in testing. Individuals who have received their booster shot or are up to date on their COVID vaccinations may still participate in our free on-campus surveillance testing if they were recently exposed to the virus.

Learn more about the surveillance testing process by viewing the introduction video below.

The University's surveillance testing is part of a comprehensive strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Surveillance testing is one additional way we can help keep each other safe and provide a healthy learning and working environment, and it is strongly encouraged by state and national health officials for non-vaccinated persons. Each of us must be diligent in our efforts to control, mitigate, and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and preserve the health and safety of our campus and in our surrounding communities.

Yes.  All students, faculty and staff who are not vaccinated and who spend any time on the Dallas, PA campus this semester must be tested when selected. Surveillance testing is one additional way we can help keep each other safe and provide a healthy learning and working environment for everyone.

Testing times and days in the Henry Student Lounge for the Spring 2022 semester are as followed:

• Mondays: 10am - 1pm
• Wednesdays: 3:30-5pm
• Thursdays: 10am - 1pm

Note if you can not make these times, please email cougar care or cougar care testing to make personal arrangements. Surveillance testing hours are subjected to change if we are expecting inclement weather so please actively monitor your email. 

Students and staff alike are notified the Thursday prior to the new testing week via email that they are selected. Sample collection, preservation and, and analysis procedures for our saliva-based PCR tests have not changed. Samples will be analyzed in the COVID testing laboratory located in the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center on campus.

All unvaccinated students and employees who are living, learning, or working on campus this semester or accessing any campus building may be selected for random testing each week.

Your saliva sample is being tested only for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Saliva samples are stored only in the laboratory until it has been concluded that your sample was either presumed positive or negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  After the test concludes, all saliva samples are destroyed.

Pooled testing is a way to more efficiently and cost-effectively test a large number of people.  Five individual samples are combined to create one “pool.” If a pooled test result is negative, then all specimens can be presumed negative for Misericordia University purposes. If the test result is positive or indeterminate, then all the specimens in that particular test pool will be retested individually in order to identify the presumed positive person(s).

• Students: If your surveillance test indicates presumptive positive, stay in your room or at home. You will be contacted by Cougar Care for further instructions. Avoid other people, wear your mask, and begin your isolation immediately to limit the spread of COVID.

• Staff and faculty: If your surveillance test indicates presumptive positive, contact your supervisor and go home. As soon as possible, contact your primary care provider for further direction. Begin your isolation immediately to limit the spread of COVID. Avoid contact with others. Wear a mask. Do not come to campus. Contact Cougar Care for additional guidance.

• Students and employees: If your test is surveillance negative, this means that at the time your saliva was collected, the presence of the COVID-19 virus was not detected in your saliva by our surveillance methods. Negative results can indicate no virus is present or that the amount of virus present is lower than we can detect. Therefore, the negative test result does not guarantee the complete absence of the virus. Please keep in mind that you can still contract the virus at any time. It is essential you continue to wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your physical distance between people.

For any pool that indicates the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the five samples that comprised that pool will be retested individually. If you provided an adequate quantity of saliva in your original sample, you will not be contacted or need to come in for your sample to be tested again.  Only people whose individual tests indicated presumed positive will be contacted by Cougar Care.  

No. You must participate in the random testing on campus even if you are tested elsewhere.

If you were not able to make or keep your appointment for surveillance testing on the week when you were selected, you may have a limited opportunity to reschedule the test.  Failing to reschedule or participate in testing will result in additional action as stated in the COVID Safety Agreement.

Students who do not test will be referred to Student Conduct for action.

Employees who do not participate in surveillance testing will face disciplinary actions as described in the document distributed from HR to the campus on 2/12/21.  

Current CDC guidance does not require vaccinated persons to participate in testing.

Rarely are people exempt from participating in surveillance testing. You may be exempt from surveillance testing if:

• You are working or learning completely online and have no plans to visit the Dallas, PA campus for the duration of the semester.
• You are enrolled only in a Weekend program
• You have received a positive COVID test result in the previous 90 days.
• You are in isolation.
• You are in quarantine.
• You are a student or employee on our Pittsburgh, PA Campus

If you believe you qualify for an exemption because you will not spend any time on campus this semester, please contact cougarcaretesting@misericordia.edu

If you have questions regarding MU’s surveillance testing or your appointment for testing, please contact cougarcaretesting@misericordia.edu