Watch this instructional video on how to self-swab. Drop boxes are open Monday at 8 a.m. through Thursday at 4 p.m. DO NOT leave COVID tests on top of locked boxes; they will be rejected. Drop boxes are at: Dimond Library, Gregg Hall, Health & Wellness, West Edge hut and Hamel Rec. You will receive your confidential results within 24 hours.
Home Collection Kit: Testing Instructions
Follow the instructions below to complete your test. If you need additional assistance, contact Health & Wellness.
Fill out one barcode label with the date and time of sample collection. You should receive a sheet of personalized labels when you pick up your kits.
Affix one label on the vial. Cover the barcode that is already on the vial.
*You no longer need to place a label on the biosafety bag.*
Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry, or use hand sanitizer.
Remove swab from packaging.
Open from the side opposite the swab tip
Gently and slowly swab the inside of your nostril for 15 seconds (as shown in the video). Repeat in the other nostril.
Place the swab (tip down) in the vial. Snap the swab handle by bending it firmly against the lip of the vial and dispose of the remaining piece. Screw the lid on the vial to seal securely. Make sure the top of the handle sits below the lip of the vial so the handle is not bent when the lid is sealed.
*NEVER fold the swab handle over to fit it in the vial.*
Place the sealed tube in the biosafety bag along with the absorbent pad and seal the bag. (In some kits, the absorbent pad may already be inside the biosafety bag.)
Drop the sealed biosafety bag in the secured drop box at any collection point within 2 hours of sample collection. Please use the drop boxes located on the campus where you received your kits (e.g., if you received your kits in Durham, please use the Durham drop boxes).
Accessing Test Results
If you participated in regular testing over the spring semester you already have an account.
If you are new to the testing program please check your spam filter or junk mail folder if you don’t receive an account information email. Email will come from UNHCOVIDLab@unh.edu. This is a valid UNH address.
To login, go to https://unewhorchard.netsmartcloud.com/. You will be asked to put in the username and temporary password provided in the email you receive from UNHCOVIDLab@unh.edu. Once done you’ll be asked to update with a new password of your choosing. Because of the information security related to health records, there is no automated way to reset your password if you forget or misplace it. You’ll have to email unhcovidlab@unh.edu to set up a phone call for a password reset.
Once in the portal, you will see several pieces of information. In order to pre-print labels, we have to “order” each person several tests at a time. You may see three different representations of data:
- Tests that have been received, analyzed and approved will be shown in Bold lettering. Clicking on the Order ID number will pull up your individual report.
- Tests that have been ordered but not received will be in Italic lettering. This does not represent a problem it just shows that tests are expected in the future.
- Tests that have been ordered and received, will show a status of “Partial Result.”
The “Order Date” represents the date your barcodes were printed and NOT the date that your sample was dropped off. You’ll have to click on the order number to see more detail about any individual test. We’re working with the vendor to improve the user interface and make it clearer to look at individual tests within a larger order.
Additional Resources
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the test tube leaks when I flip it over to check the seal?
You need to complete a new testing sample.
What is the absorbent pad for?
The absorbent pad is included to soak up spilled liquid in the event a sample leaks. This helps protects lab workers and prevents the contamination of other samples.
What are the drop-off times?
The drop boxes are open Monday at 9 a.m. through Thursday at 4 p.m.
Where do I drop off my test kit?
- Dimond Library
- Gregg Hall
- Health & Wellness
- West Edge hut
How will I get more test kits? What if I run out? What if I lose my labels?
You can get more kits and labels at the COVID Clinic in Health & Wellness, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
What if I am unable to perform a self-swab due to a disability?
Faculty, staff and students with disabilities in need of assistance should contact UNH Health & Wellness at (603) 862-9355. UNH Health & Wellness can assist in arranging an appointment for testing/swabbing.
What if I had COVID within the past 90 days?
A positive test exempts you from additional testing for 90 days from your time of illness unless you become ill. You do not, and should not, attempt to try to test negative after a positive. Please upload your positive test result.
How will I get my test results?
Results will be sent to you via your UNH email. Please update your contact information to ensure you receive your results.
What will happen after I test positive, or if someone close to me tests positive?
If your test indicates that you may be positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by UNH Health & Wellness for further evaluation.
Health & Wellness may request an additional sample for confirmatory testing. Meanwhile, you will be required, per the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, to enter into self-isolation for at least 10 days to avoid passing the infection on to others. If you are unable to isolate in your current residence or permanent home, you may be eligible for on-campus isolation housing.
You will also be asked about roommates and other close contacts with whom you live. Health & Wellness will begin the close contact notifications of UNH community members. A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of an infected individual for at least 10-15 minutes, regardless of mask use. The N.H. Department of Health and Human Services will also be notified. Close contacts require 10 days of self-quarantine. Self-quarantine is recommended to be completed at your local address or permanent home if the situation allows, but there will be limited quarantine housing available on campus.
During isolation or quarantine, you will maintain regular contact with Health & Wellness. If your health allows, you are encouraged to work with your instructors to determine how to continue to make progress in your courses. You do NOT need to tell your instructor anything about your medical condition. Your instructor will be notified, per normal processes, that you will be unable to participate in classroom or laboratory activities for non-academic reasons and that they should help you continue to make progress toward class completion. As always, it is your responsibility to stay on track with course requirements.
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Now more than ever, the health and safety of our UNH community depends on everyone acting with real Wildcat pride. Let's take care of each other.
Campus partners: printable signs to promote vaccinations, testing and masks
We’re here to help, 24/7. For health, safety and other pressing issues that are not addressed in our FAQs, please email covid@unh.edu or call the UNH COVID-19 hotline (603) 862-2020 between the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This is the most current and up-to-date information. For emergencies, dial 911.
If you notice a member of the UNH student body not following the UNH COVID-19 polices, you can submit a concern on the COVID Incident Reporting Form.
