COVID19 Testing Locations and Times
Dear Morehouse School of Medicine community,
We are starting the new year recognizing that COVID-19 continues to be a part of everyday life. As we operate amid this pandemic, we must emphasize the importance of having a social contract that relies heavy on trust. The health and safety of MSM depends on all our choices. We want you to think about your social contract when assessing your health status, keeping your required testing cadence, and honoring all MSM’s policies and protocols. Our commitment back to you is to keep you informed and make the best decisions for the MSM community.
Our testing results last week indicated an 18% to 20% positivity rate. For that reason and out of an abundance of caution, MSM will remain in a Phase I status through January 14, 2022. Our essential employees, select research employees, and research students are permitted on campus during this time. They will be required to complete antigen testing on Monday and Wednesday while onsite. This may vary based on your work schedule. All other employees that are not away on paid leave should be working remotely and accessible by your manager. Students in Phase I attend classes virtually. We will reassess this status again next week.
COVID-19 testing
If you did not appear for testing or submit a PCR test the week of January 3rd, you are reminded that you must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result confirmed prior to returning onsite to work or school. Next week, the schedule for testing will continue at various locations. Testing and hours will vary based on your last name and location. Non-essential employees will test and return home to work, and students will attend class remotely through next week. Essential workers will continue to take an antigen test and a PCR test and work as you normally would. If you are out on paid leave or medical leave of absence, you will be required to submit a PCR test prior to returning to work or school. Below you should locate your testing site and time block for your last name. As much as possible, we are asking you to observe the schedule below to help us avoid overcrowding.
Locations and Hours of Operation
01/10/22 – 01/12/22
MHC - Howell Mill Road and MHC – Lee Street
MHC Employees
Rapid testing required for essential employees will be done onsite at each MHC location
PCR testing will be done onsite at Howell Mill and in the parking garage for Lee Street
Date
January 10th 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
January 11th 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
Piedmont Hall (1st Floor)
Employees
Date
January 10th 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
January 11th 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
Main Campus (Parking Garage)
Employees and Students
Last Name Date
A-C January 10th 8:30 am – 11:00 am
D-H January 10th 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
I–L January 11th 8:30 am – 11:00 am
M-Q January 11th 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
R-T January 12th 8:30 am – 11:00 am
U-Z January 12th 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Protocol Guidance:
Our current isolation and quarantine procedures are below. Clinical employees at offsite locations (Grady, Crestview, CHOA, VA and other clinical sites) that may test positive or have an exposure will follow the return-to-work procedures of their site. All others to include MHC employees will adhere to the protocols below.
Isolation procedures if you test positive for COVID-19:
1. Isolate for 5 days
2. No symptoms, then take a PCR test on day 6
3. If a negative result is achieved and you have not had any symptoms in 24 hours, you will be cleared to return to work
4. If you remain symptomatic, you should delay testing until you are 24 hours without symptoms
Quarantine procedureif you are exposed to a person with COVID (symptomatic or confirmed) or have a household member symptomatic or positive:
1. Quarantine for 5 days
2. No symptoms, then take a PCR test on day 6
3. If a negative result is achieved, you will be cleared to return to work
4. If you develop any signs or symptoms, you should get tested
Additional guidance:
1. If you have any signs or symptoms or think it is your allergies, stay home and get tested
2. Maintain your testing cadence per MSM’s Testing Policy
3. Get your booster shot if you are 6 months past your Moderna, 5 months past your Pfizer vaccination or 2 months past your Johnson and Johnson vaccination
4. Wear an appropriate mask that fully covers your nose, mouth, and chin; you are encouraged to wear thicker masks, surgical masks or n95/kn95 masks; no gaiters, open weave or single layered masks are allowed
5. If you are returning from international travel, travel U.S. territories or Alaska and Hawaii, you must enter a quarantine and receive guidance on getting tested
All employees and students are required to provide notice of isolation and quarantine cases to the Office of Disability Services. MSM now allows you to schedule confirmatory testing for isolation and quarantine cases on main campus. For protocol guidance and more information about getting tested onsite, you can call 404.752.1871 or 404.752.1159.
Resources
Office of Disability Services
404.756.5200
Student Health and Wellness
404.756.1241
Employee Assistance Program (24/7/365)
Benefits Eligible Employees
877.622.4327
Your Guide to Masks
Please monitor your email for additional COVID-19 updates. Stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
The Morehouse School of Medicine COVID-19 Safety Team