COVID-19 At-Home Testing

Instructions for UCCS-provided iHealth Home Test

These tests are available free to staff, faculty, and students at the University Center information desk and in the Wellness Center waiting room. Please visit 
https://www.fda.gov/media/158007/download to check the new expiration date for your kit. 

  • If you have had symptoms less than 24 hours, the results may not be accurate.  Wait until you have had symptoms for at least 24 hours before conducting the test.
  • If you’ve had symptoms for more than 5 days, a PCR is the recommended testing method.   

Instructions for conducting the iHealth Home Test can be found in the box. Be sure to read them ahead of performing the test and follow them as outlined for the most accurate results.

The infectious period for COVID starts two days prior to the onset of symptoms and can last up to 10 days following the onset of symptoms. Close contact is considered someone that you have been within 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes (with or without a mask) during your infectious period.

If your result is positive:

If You Are a Student:

  1. If your test is positive over the weekend and you are a student living in housing, please notify your resident assistant (RA); if you are not in a private room one will be provided for you for isolation. Residence Life will assist in getting meals to you during your isolation. Someone from the UCCS Wellness Center will reach out during office hours Monday – Friday 8a–5p to begin the contact tracing process. Until then, do not attend work/classes/social events or enter the dining halls.
     
  2. If you live off-campus and test positive over the weekend, notify any close contacts that you have been around closer than 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes starting 2 days prior to symptom onset.  Isolate yourself in a private room, wear a mask in common areas if you live with others, stay 6 feet away, limit time to less than 15 minutes, and disinfect all touched surfaces that are shared with others after use.  Contact the UCCS contact tracers (contrac@uccs.edu) on Monday morning after 8 a.m. if you need additional guidance. Do not attend work/classes/social events until your isolation period is complete. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
     
  3. Please note that UCCS and El Paso County Public Health are only contact tracing individuals in the following categories. 
     
    • Residential students living on campus
    • Individuals age 50 and older 
    • Campus outbreaks

    All other individuals will be responsible for notifying their close contacts. The Wellness Center has templates to assist individuals with notifying their close contacts by emailing contrac@uccs.edu.

 

If You Are Staff or Faculty

  1. Notify any close contacts that you have been around closer than 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes starting 2 days prior to symptom onset.  Isolate yourself in a private room, wear a mask in common areas if you live with others, stay 6 feet away and limit time to less than 15 minutes, and disinfect all touched surfaces that are shared with others after use.  You can also reach out to the UCCS contact tracers (contrac@uccs.edu) on Monday morning after 8 a.m. for additional guidance if needed. Do not attend work/classes/social events until your isolation period is complete. 
     
  2. Please note that UCCS and El Paso County Public Health are only contact tracing individuals in the following categories. 
     
    • Residential students living on campus
    • Individuals age 50 and older 
    • Campus outbreaks 

    All other individuals will be responsible for notifying their close contacts. The Wellness Center has templates to assist individuals with notifying their close contacts by emailing contrac@uccs.edu.

If your symptoms become severe, go to an Urgent Care, ER, or call 911.

If your result is negative:

If you are a student and you would like to talk to a provider to discuss your symptoms and/or be further evaluated for other causes of illness (such as strep throat, influenza, mononucleosis, etc.), please call the UCCS Student Wellness Center at 719-255-4444 to schedule a telehealth appointment.


If you are staff or faculty, call your primary care provider for further guidance.