Symptomatic Testing

Symptoms of COVID-19

  • A fever of 100°F or higher
  • Respiratory symptoms, such as dry cough or shortness of breath
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Muscle or body ache
  • Chills 
  • Loss of taste or smell

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Keep in mind, many people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and are able to recover at home.

Students 

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, students can be tested with an order from a Student Health Services’ medical provider or a referral from the contact tracing team. Testing is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for the 2nd Friday of each month, opening at 9:30 a.m.). Making an appointment is required to help maintain physical distancing and reduce student wait times. 

To obtain an order from an SHS provider:

  • Schedule via My BuckMD
  • Select appointment reason, TELEHEALTH - COVID symptoms
  • This will schedule a telehealth appointment with the provider.
  • SHS provider will call you during your Teleheath appointment to address your medical concerns.

To schedule a testing appointment:

  • Schedule via My BuckMD
  • Select appointment reason, Covid-19 Testing ordered by SHS Provider or Contact Tracing.
  • This will not create an appointment with a provider, rather sign the student up for an assigned testing time.

Note: If you are unable to schedule via My BuckMD, please try these tips:

  • Switch browser to Google Chrome (most up-to-date version)
  • Clear browsing history
  • Conduct from a laptop or desktop

After your specimen is collected, you are required to self-quarantine in your residence and may not return to normal campus activities until your test result is available. This time frame may vary, but most results should be available between 2-3 business days after the specimen is collected. This brief self-quarantine is required out of an abundance of caution because it is possible to be infected with COVID-19 and have no symptoms.

Employees

  • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact your local primary care provider (PCP) for a health assessment and direction. 

  • If you do not have a PCP, contact The Ohio State University COVID Call Center at 614-293-4000 to assess the need for testing and to arrange a COVID-19 test if indicated. 

  • If your PCP advises that you should have a COVID-19 test, contact The Ohio State University COVID Call Center at 614-293-4000 to arrange a COVID-19 test. 

  • If an Ohio State contact tracer determines that you have been exposed as a close contact to someone who is infected with COVID-19, you will be contacted by the team and advised about quarantine and testing.

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New drive-thru COVID-19 swab site opens with self-scheduling capability 

The Wexner Medical Center is transitioning the COVID-19 testing location to a drive-thru facility to increase testing capacity.

  • The new site is located in the parking garage at CAS (Chemical Abstracts), 2540 Olentangy River Road, located just north of the Fawcett Center. The testing site entrance is on Dodridge Street.  
  • This new location will replace the current testing location at 650 Ackerman Road.
  • This testing is for individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Employees who are required to complete a weekly COVID-19 test should not test here unless they are feeling sick.

Hours

  • The CAS site will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
  • It will be closed on Sundays.

Scheduling

  • All individuals with a MyChart account will be able to schedule a COVID-19 PCR test without the need to contact the COVID-19 Call Team or their own Wexner Medical Center provider.  
    • Select "COVID-19 Testing"
  • All patients must have an appointment and all available appointments for testing will be viewable in MyChart.
  • Appointment times will continue to open in the future.
  • Individuals without a MyChart account can call the COVID-19 Call Center at 614-293-4000 or contact their primary care physician.

Please reference this website for the most up-to-date guidelines. The university’s COVID-19 Transition Task Force’s Safe Campus and Scientific Advisory Subgroup will continue monitoring changing conditions and consult with local and state health authorities. Recommendations and requirements will be refined as needed.