Monitoring and managing COVID-19 on campus is essential. Pratt has developed a comprehensive and efficient strategy to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff. When COVID-19 is detected, among anyone in the Pratt community, safe self-isolating should begin immediately and identification of close contacts will commence.
Current campus access requires all students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing prior to entering campus. If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to submit a COVID-19 test.
If you are submitting a COVID-19 vaccination record, please follow the instructions on the campus access page.
If you are submitting a COVID-19 PCR test, please follow the detailed instructions below.
Any student, faculty, or staff who has been approved for a medical or religious exemption or has not met the requirements for full vaccination is required to be tested weekly for COVID-19 in order to access campus. Fully vaccinated means that the required number of doses for the vaccine has been received and more than two weeks have elapsed since completing these doses. If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated. In addition to participating in the weekly COVID-19 testing, you will also be required to complete the COVID-19 Daily Self Assessment, located in the Pratt Safe App under “Returning to Campus During COVID,” prior to coming to campus.
Once you receive notification of your exemption or “in process” status has been approved, you are required to participate in weekly testing for the duration of the semester, at no cost to you. If you become fully vaccinated during the semester you will be removed from the weekly testing protocol.
WHEN WILL TESTING BE OFFERED?
COVID-19 testing will be conducted onMonday and Tuesday, 8 AM to 6 PM; Wednesday, 8 AM to 4 PM. All COVID-19 testing is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, no appointments or reservations required. Community members will be seen in the order in which they arrived.
The on-campus COVID-19 testing process takes approximately ten (10) minutes to complete.
WHERE WILL TESTING BE CONDUCTED?
Brooklyn Campus – Memorial Hall Lobby (main testing site)
Manhattan Campus – Second Floor, Room #205
WHAT IF I AM NOT ON CAMPUS ON THESE DAYS?
As noted above, those who have been approved for medical or religious exemptions or are in the process of obtaining full vaccination status MUST participate in the weekly COVID-19 testing program. You may choose which day and time to be tested but you MUST participate in the weekly testing program in order to be able to attend in-person class or access the campus.
If your schedule does not allow you to visit campus for testing when offered on campus you will be required to obtain a weekly test off campus at a facility of your choice and expense. Individuals who elect to test off campus will be responsible for submitting a negative COVID-19 test (PCR test) each week. Please remember to consider test turnaround times, as they may vary and the submission, review, and approval of results to Pratt may take 24 to 48 hours. Questions regarding the weekly COVID-19 testing process can be sent to COVIDCoordination@pratt.edu. All COVID-19 test results should be submitted through the online form.
THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO WEEKLY TESTING FOR THOSE WITH APPROVED EXEMPTIONS OR THOSE IN PROCESS OF OBTAINING FULL VACCINATION STATUS. A reminder email will be sent each week to remind those in the COVID-19 testing of this requirement. This email will be sent to your Pratt email account.
Beginning Monday, September 27, 2021, Pratt will launch a randomized expanded testing program for fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff. Unvaccinated members of the Pratt community and those in the vaccination process will continue to test on a weekly basis as previously instructed.
This new testing program is a simple, proactive measure to keep one another safe and to help one another feel more comfortable on our campuses. It will also provide additional information about our collective health and allow us to adjust safety measures accordingly.
What is this new testing program?
Each week, a randomized sampling of students, faculty, and staff who access Pratt’s campuses will be selected and notified by email that they are required to get tested on campus the following week. The number of individuals selected for testing will be determined based on the current status of the epidemic and other virologic and epidemiological data (from our campuses and from local public health authorities).
How does the program work?
Please review the following steps to ensure you understand how the expanded testing program works and what you can expect if you are selected to participate.
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On a weekly basis, randomly selected ID numbers of fully vaccinated individuals will be chosen for testing.
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If your ID number is selected, you will receive an email on Thursday instructing you to report for testing the following week.
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No appointment is required for testing.
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The entire process takes approximately 15 minutes.
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Sample collection is a self-administered nasal swab.
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Testing locations and times:
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Pratt Brooklyn
Memorial Hall
Monday and Tuesday, 8 AM to 6 PM; Wednesday, 8 AM to 4 PM -
Pratt Manhattan
Second Floor, Room 205
Monday and Tuesday, 8 AM to 6 PM; Wednesday, 8 AM to 4 PM
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If you are selected to participate in the expanded testing program and have previously tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, please email COVIDCoordination@pratt.edu to inform them that you are unable to participate.
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If you are selected to participate in the expanded testing program and are unable to participate because you will not be on campus that week, please email COVIDCoordination@pratt.edu to inform them that you will test the following week.
What about the test results?
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Test results are usually available within 48 hours. Results will be emailed to you directly from the Broad Institute, the independent vendor Pratt has contracted to provide PCR testing. A copy of your test results will also be sent to Health Services (for students) or Human Resources (for faculty and staff).
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If you receive a positive test result, don’t come to campus! Complete reporting instructions are available online. The Broad Institute will also be required to provide this information to the NYC Department of Health (DOH). Someone from the DOH may reach out to you to begin contact tracing. Pratt will also begin contact tracing in order to quickly identify any close contacts you may have had on campus and advise them to watch for symptoms and get tested.
For complete information on what to do if you test positive and on contact tracing, visit Back to Pratt.
How else can you participate?
If you are not selected for expanded testing in a given week, but would like to test with us, we strongly urge you to take advantage of this free service available to the Pratt community. We welcome and encourage you to get tested, for whatever reason—if you have recently traveled, participated in a large group gathering, or simply would like the comfort of knowing whether or not you have COVID-19.
The negative COVID-19 PCR test must be taken no more than three (3) days of returning to campus. The test result must also be submitted to the portal dated within three (3) days prior to returning to campus (Results may take 24-48 hours to process). (Results are processed Monday through Friday). Only upload your test results if it is your first time on campus. If you are in the pool, your test results are already accessible.
*If you have had a confirmed COVID-19 infection within the last 90 days please read the additional testing requirements below.
Pratt does not accept rapid COVID-19 tests, antibody/antigen tests, or self-administered PCR tests that are done without a medical provider supervising. Be aware, if you do not have symptoms some testing locations will only administer rapid testing, not PCR. You must find a testing location that will conduct a PCR test.
Students, faculty, and staff should submit test results using the online COVID Test Results form.
Test results may not appear in the system for up to 24-48 hours (Monday - Friday) after you have submitted them. Results are reviewed manually. Supervisors should plan accordingly with their staff for remote work while test results are being processed.
We encourage you to monitor local COVID-19 testing turnaround times, as these may vary depending on demand for testing, and factor this into your planned return to campus. Please continue to monitor this page for additional details about the timeline for submitting test results.
Have questions? Read our testing FAQs.
Our goal is to ensure that all community members—students, faculty, and staff—are tested or vaccinated prior to returning to campus. Prompt identification and isolation of positive individuals and their contacts is necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Pratt community, and constant monitoring of symptoms using a variety of validated scientific methods is important. Additionally, those who become symptomatic on campus will be assisted in obtaining an appropriate evaluation and diagnostic testing. Pratt has partnered with local health care providers in both Brooklyn and Manhattan to assist community members who need assistance in obtaining a COVID-19 diagnostic test.
How to get a test
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Students, faculty and staff in need of diagnostic COVID-19 testing in NYC may visit a free testing site. Free testing is also available in New Jersey and other states.
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Please note: Pratt does not accept rapid COVID-19 tests, antibody tests, or self-administered PCR tests that are done without a medical provider supervising.
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A diagnostic test is used to determine if an individual is currently infected, whereas the antibody test is used to detect antibodies to COVID-19 from prior infection. So please be sure to request a diagnostic test. Terminology can get confusing. If you are unsure, please consult with the provider before getting the test.
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Students, faculty and staff may also contact MedRite to schedule an appointment. MedRite has locations near our Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses.
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You may also visit your personal healthcare provider for a test.
Please note: A diagnostic test is used to determine if an individual is currently infected, whereas the antibody test is used to detect antibodies to COVID-19 from prior infection. So please be sure to request a diagnostic test.
When to get a test
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Diagnostic COVID-19 testing must have been completed within 3 days prior to your return date to campus to ensure results are accurate and timely.
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This return date will be unique to each student, faculty or staff member’s needs. You should work backwards from the day you intend to be on campus to ensure you schedule your COVID-19 testing date appropriately. Example you are due back to work/class on April 6, your test should not be earlier than April 3rd.
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Please be aware that your first time on campus cannot be more than 3 days after the day you were tested for COVID.
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The date of your test (not the results) must be no earlier than 3 days prior to the first day you will be on campus.
How to submit your results
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Your submitted results must meet the following criteria: Results should clearly indicate the testing date, the type of test taken, your name, and the result english.
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Please note: This is not an automated process. A staff member reviews and approves each submission. It can take up to 48 hours to process.
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Students, faculty, and staff should submit test results using the online COVID-19 Test Results form. Student results are processed by Health Services. Staff and faculty results are processed by Human Resources.
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Students who test positive for COVID-19 should contact Pratt Health Services. Faculty and staff who test positive should contact Human Resources, via telephone or email. Necessary guidance for safely returning to campus and determining the potential need for contact tracing will be provided.
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Please note that this process may change. Check this page for updates before submitting your results.
As all data is considered privileged healthcare data, all precautions have been taken to ensure HIPAA compliance.
The CDC has determined that in some individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, there may be continuously low levels of detectable virus in subsequent tests for up to ninety days. Current guidance does not advise repeated testing unless determined by a medical provider. Therefore many testing sites may no longer provide a COVID-19 test to anyone who has tested positive for a minimum of ninety (90) days after receiving a positive test result. Affected individuals are expected to follow recommendations from health officials regarding their symptom management and isolation periods. Individuals with severe symptoms may need to isolate for an extended period of time. It is recommended that those individuals discuss their return to work/school with their healthcare provider. For resident students participating in weekly pool testing with a positive test result: after completing a period of isolation, on campus, for 10 days, as well as being symptom-free* for 72 hrs, the student will return to their assigned room at Willoughby Residence Hall. The student is then removed from participating in the weekly pool testing for a period of no less than 90 days from the date testing positive. Daily health screening will reconvene after isolation is completed. For employees participating in weekly pool testing with a positive test result: after completing a period of Isolation for 10 days, as well as being symptom-free* for 72 hrs, the employee returns to work and is then removed from participating in pool testing for a period of no less than 90 days from the date testing positive. Daily health screening will reconvene after isolation is completed. For non-resident students, faculty or staff who otherwise test positive for COVID-19 must provide a dated proof of a positive COVID-19 test to Pratt Health Services for students or Pratt HR for staff or faculty. After completing a period of isolation for 10 days, as well as being symptom-free* for 72 hrs, the student, staff or faculty returns to work. Daily health screening will reconvene upon return to campus. *Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay this exemption.
Community members at Pratt will be asked to screen themselves daily before coming to campus. Before returning to campus faculty, and staff must complete the electronic health screening questionnaire daily, using the PrattSafe app. It is recommended for students. Be sure to follow the guidance provided and do not come to campus if you are ill. How to complete the Pratt Safe questionnaire: On the PrattSafe app, select “Returning to Campus During COVID” in the banner at the top of the home screen. Select Daily Health Screening In the self-assessment, you will be asked to provide your name, telephone number, email address, and consent. There will then be a series of questions that require a “Yes” or “No” response. After completing these questions, review and confirm your responses and submit the questionnaire. Digital Self-Assessment Badge You will either be approved to come to campus or advised that you are not authorized to come to campus and must follow up with a healthcare provider. Student responses will be sent directly to Pratt Health Services, and faculty and staff responses will be sent to Human Resources. As all data is considered privileged healthcare data, all precautions have been taken to ensure HIPAA compliance. The PrattSafe daily health screening questionnaire can be completed as early as 4 hours prior to arrival on campus. Students, faculty, and staff must be free of ANY symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 or have had evaluation and clearance by their personal healthcare provider, Pratt Health Services for students, and Human Resources for faculty and staff to be eligible to report to class or work. Symptom screening questions reflect current CDC guidelines and are updated accordingly. Report to class or work only if you are without symptoms and the PrattSafe app indicates you are approved to come to campus. Remember to follow all social contract requirements both on and off campus. In the event you are symptomatic, believe you have been exposed to covid or otherwise ill, please do not come to campus, but rather take the following actions: Stay home. Students should notify their instructors and then contact Pratt Health Services. Faculty and staff should notify their immediate supervisor, along with Human Resources. Faculty and staff should contact their local health provider or urgent care. Students should contact Pratt Health Service during office hours. After hours and on weekends, students should seek care with a local urgent care or healthcare provider. Students will be required to follow up with Pratt Health Services during regular office hours. Continue to wear a cloth facial covering, wash hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes, and self-isolate safely to avoid possible virus transmission to others. Students should keep Pratt Health Services informed as to their situation and prognosis. Students should discuss any absence with their instructors in accordance with our attendance policy Employees should keep their supervisor and Human Resources informed of their situation. Return to class or work only after you have been medically cleared to do so.
