Keep HBS Healthy

Antigen “at home” testing, the recommended methood of testing, is a fast, convenient, and reliable way to test when you have symptoms or want confirmation of your COVID status. Individuals who are on one of Harvard University’s health plans have several options to obtain free at-home COVID-19 tests. If you are not on one of Harvard University’s health plans, please visit your benefits provider for additional information.

If you receive a positive test, would like exposure guidance, or are experiencing symptoms, please complete a Self Assessment on Crimson Clear, which will initiate a response from Harvard University Health Services (HUHS). Please wait for guidance from HUHS before returning to campus activity.

Please use Crimson Clear to report when you are experiencing COVID symptoms, would like exposure guidance, or test positive. When you use Crimson Clear, HUHS can follow up to provide you with health guidance.

In the time between receiving your positive test result and moving into isolation, it’s very important to minimize your movement and exposure to others. If you are off campus, do not come to campus for any reason. If you receive a positive result while you are on campus, go home immediately.

Additionally:

• Isolation protocols at Harvard are informed by the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), and other public health experts.
• Infected individuals with no symptoms, or resolving symptoms and no fever, may end strict isolation after 5 full days (isolation ending on day 6). You then need to wear a well-fitting mask for another 5 days.
• You should avoid travel during the full 10-day period.
• Individuals who test positive should identify and notify their close contacts. Email communication from HUHS following a positive test notification will provide guidance on notifying close contacts.

After a potential exposure to COVID-19, determine if you meet all 4 criteria of a close contact:

• Exposed to someone confirmed to be infected (either notified by an individual who tested positive via PCR test or a contact tracer told them to treat themselves as if they had a positive PCR test), and
• Interaction was indoors, and
• Interaction was close—less than 6 feet away, and
• Interaction lasted at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period

If you do not meet all 4 criteria, you are not considered a close contact. No further action is needed. You should continue to practice health and safety measures.

If you do meet all 4 criteria, you are considered a close contact. Please do the following for the 10 days following your date of last exposure:

• Wear a mask around others for the 10 days following exposure. Masks are critical in reducing the spread of COVID-19. We encourage the use of high-quality disposable masks, worn in a way that minimizes air gaps around the edges. A surgical-style mask or a cup-style protective mask such as a KN-95, layered under a form-fitting fabric mask, can ensure good filtration as well as an effective seal. ASTM or FDA-accepted masks offer greater assurance of filtration quality.
• Test on day 1 and day 5 following the exposure using an antigen or PCR test.
• Self-monitor for COVID symptoms. If you develop symptoms: isolate from others, get tested, and stay home while waiting for the test results.
  • If negative, you may move about campus without restrictions (with mask around others).
  • If positive, continue to isolate away from others and await next steps from contact tracing. If you test positive outside Harvard’s testing program, report your positive test through Crimson Clear.

Vaccination and boosters are required for all students. Details on how to find and schedule a shot and upload your proof of vaccination are outlined on the University's COVID-19 Vaccine & Booster Information page. For Harvard paid-employees, Harvard highly recommends being up-to-date with your COVID vaccinations per CDC definition.

Please review the University’s travel guidance for more information.

Travelers should plan accordingly if PCR tests are needed for their destination. Turnaround time for testing through Harvard is a minimum of 24-48 hours. Please note that HUHS is not able to provide monitored antigen or ad hoc PCR tests for travel.

Individuals who have recently tested positive (in the past 90 days) and have their isolation and discharge managed through Harvard’s Contact Tracing team can request a travel letter noting their recent positive test result at contact_tracing_questions@huhs.harvard.edu. Letters can take up to 5 days to be fulfilled. Please note that the contact tracing team will note if the test was an antigen or PCR test.