COVID-19 Testing and Reporting

The information on this page is updated as new information is available, and as federal, state and local public health guidance changes. For the latest information, please check back regularly. Last updated: May 13, 2022.

COVID-19 testing helps to limit the spread of the coronavirus while also facilitating early diagnosis and rapid treatment.

All students and employees should self-report COVID-19 positive test results if tested off-campus.

Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

• Students who have symptoms can get a COVID-19 test at Student Health Service. Make an appointment via your MedPortal account or call 828-262-3100.
• AppHealthCare’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinics provide testing to anyone who would like a COVID-19 test, including App State students. Visit AppHealthCare’s COVID-19 Testing FAQs page for information on how soon you will get your results, how you will be notified of your test results, and more.
• Visit NCDHHS’ Find My Testing Place page to find no-cost community testing events or testing sites in North Carolina.

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What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

When should I take a COVID-19 test?

CDC recommends that you get tested for COVID-19 if you:

• Have symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. 
• Are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. 

CDC defines close contacts as individuals who have been within six feet of an active case of COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period.

CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker helps you check your symptoms online and, based on your answers, provides recommended actions and resources. 

What type of test should I take?

PCR (molecular) and antigen (rapid) tests, also called viral tests, are both used to diagnose whether someone is currently infected with COVID-19. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS):

• COVID-19 PCR tests detect the genetic material (RNA) that is specific to COVID-19. A PCR test can detect the virus within days of infection and is generally more sensitive than a rapid antigen test, especially for people who are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. PCR test results can take 1-3 days as the tests are analyzed in a laboratory, but results can be done in as little as 24 hours.
• COVID-19 rapid antigen tests work to detect proteins that are specific to the virus that causes COVID-19 and do not typically need to be sent to a lab to be analyzed. People with COVID-19 symptoms and a negative COVID-19 antigen test should get a PCR test to confirm the negative results.

Read more: 

• FDA’s Coronavirus Disease Testing Basics page
• CDC’s COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know page
• CDC’s Test for Current Infection page

COVID-19 self-reporting

All students, faculty and staff should self-report illness/exposure and isolation orders, as well COVID-19 positive test results if tested off-campus.

Students and employees should also submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, including proof of a booster or additional dose. These records will be critical in making decisions regarding quarantine — learn more about Isolation and Exposure. The information you report will remain confidential.

Report positive test results

Regardless of vaccination status, students and employees should self-report:

• Positive test results, if tested at an off-campus testing location.
• If a healthcare provider tells you that you are presumed positive and/or if you have been instructed to isolate by public health.

If you have reported positive test results, the university’s COVID-19 response team will be in touch as soon as possible. If you get tested on-campus, you DO NOT need to submit your results as these are automatically provided to the university.

Submit a “Care and Concern” report if a student or employee reports a positive test result to you.

In addition, if you have a concern about a student, you can report that concern to the Dean of Students.