COVID Testing Changes for Summer; Continue Testing As Scheduled Until May 19

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Dear Members of the UNH Durham Community,

We are writing with some important changes to COVID-19 testing effective Monday, May 23; please continue testing as scheduled through Thursday, May 19. Drop boxes will close at 4 p.m.

Effective Monday, May 23, we will offer voluntary COVID testing and suspend mandatory surveillance testing for the summer. Please know that:

  • Voluntary testing will still be available to anyone in our UNH community, and regular testing is still encouraged for those who are immunocompromised or unvaccinated
  • Anyone showing symptoms (sore throat, cough, congestion) is encouraged to drop a test
  • If you test positive you are still required to isolate per Centers for Disease Control guidance
  • Wastewater surveillance will continue
  • Senior leadership will continue to monitor local, state and federal data
  • Testing infrastructure remains in place and mandatory testing can quickly resume if needed

The efficacy of staying up-to-date on vaccinations (which includes a booster for those ages 12 and older) in preventing severe disease, as well as the availability and success of anti-viral treatments, were the major factors in this decision. If you are not yet up-to-date, COVID vaccinations and boosters are available by appointment at Health & Wellness.

Some additional information for the summer:

  • The COVID testing site at the New England Center will close Tuesday, May 10. Travel and rapid testing will be available at Health & Wellness Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. No appointment necessary.
  • A valid Wildcat Pass is no longer required beginning Monday, May 23, but can quickly be reactivated if mandatory testing resumes
  • The last COVID dashboard will be published Monday, May 23
  • The MUB COVID office remains open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for test kit pick up
  • Beginning Monday, May 23, the following boxes will be available Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., to drop a test: West Edge, Health & Wellness, Dimond Library and a new box at Gregg Hall; do not use any other boxes

Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping our campus safe. Have a great summer and continue to watch email for guidance for the fall semester.

Paul Dean
Chief of Police /Associate VP for Public Safety and Risk Management and Co-Chair of UNH Testing and Tracing Committee

Marian McCord
Senior Vice Provost for Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach; and Co-Chair of UNH Testing and Tracing Committee