About Viral Testing
Each Harvard affiliate’s testing requirements will vary based on whether you live on campus, work in residential housing, work elsewhere on campus, or have a regular presence (4 hours or more per week) on campus. Our testing plan is subject to modification if the public health situation indicates changes in community risk.
HUHS does not determine who is eligible for testing and cannot update the University’s eligibility file. If you have been authorized to be on campus and believe you should be eligible for testing but do not appear eligible with Color, please contact your local administrator.
Test kits are not being distributed by HUHS to the campus community, but are distributed by individual schools and units, so please connect with your local administrator about how to receive your test kit.
Testing policies and frequencies can be found here.
Testing Results
After completing your test, you will receive an email from the Broad Institute at the email address you provided on the testing registration form within 2 days. You will receive instructions to log into the Broad’s secure system to see your results.
If you test positive, a medical professional from HUHS will contact you and discuss next steps. You will be required to remain in isolation for at least 10 days. An HUHS trained, contact tracer will also contact you to provide more information and ask questions about recent, close contacts. As required by state law, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will also be notified of any positive test result.
If you test negative, it is very likely you do not have the virus at this time. You will need to continue to practice social distancing, wear a mask, and follow any applicable federal, state, or local orders related to COVID-19. You will also be expected to adhere to any University policy or process to protect the health and safety of our community. On days you are coming to campus, you will be expected to use Crimson Clear to obtain clearance to enter facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if someone needs help in another language?
Please contact HUHS at (617) 495-5711 and follow the prompts for the COVID line (press * key).
Color instructions are available in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Simplified Chinese
I am a Manager. How do I see who on my team has been viral tested?
Go to the Harvard Training Portal and run a report for COVID Testing. See instructions on how to run this report.
What if I have other questions?
Please contact HUHS at (617) 495-5711 and follow the prompts for the COVID line (press * key). Check back here as well, as we will be updating this area with additional information as new questions arise.