COVID-19 Response
Latest updates, information and planning

COVID-19 Testing

Note:

November 24-25
No COVID-19 testing and no antigen test kit pick-up.

December 26 – January 2
No COVID-19 testing and no antigen test kit pick-up.

Campus testing schedule Both PCR and antigen testing continue to be offered at no cost to students and employees. See below for availability and location:

Antigen testing

  • Test kit pick-up is on the ground floor of 333 East Campus Mall; hours are:
    • Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – closed for lunch break from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.;
    • Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

PCR testing

  • PCR testing is located at the ground floor of 333 East Campus Mall. You must make an appointment through the MyUHS app or the MyUHS web portal.
    • Testing is available by appointment Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – closed for lunch break from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Off-Campus Testing Resources

  • All Wisconsin households are eligible to place an order every month for one free test kit that contains five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests at SayYesCovidHomeTest.org
  • Some private health insurers will also reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests. For a list of authorized self-tests, visit the Food and Drug Administration’s website.
  • For a complete database of community testing locations, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. If you are experiencing symptoms and need to get tested, you may also contact your healthcare provider.

 

 

No-cost PCR testing continues by appointment through the  MyUHS app or the MyUHS web portal.

Antigen testing –  Antigen test kits, N95 and surgical masks are also available at 333 East Campus Mall.

Testing Overview

UW–Madison continues to provide COVID-19 testing at no cost to UW–Madison students and employees. We are maintaining our previous PCR capacity of 5,000 tests per week. In addition, we are also distributing at-home antigen test kits, N-95 and surgical masks.

Consolidating PCR testing and distribution of at-home antigen test kits at one testing site – ground floor 333 East Campus Mall allows us to staff more efficiently while maintaining a robust capacity. The take-home antigen kits provide added convenience because they can be picked up in advance and used when needed. Most antigen testing provides results within 15 minutes, compared to 24 to 48 hours for campus PCR testing. This type of test is useful for quickly diagnosing infections and containing the spread of disease.

We need everyone’s cooperation in using campus testing resources responsibly. If you are using campus PCR testing, avoid no-shows or last-minute cancellations. In addition to campus-provided antigen testing, which we have secured for the use of students and employees, we encourage you to use the growing number of off-campus antigen testing resources, including placing an order every month for one free test kit that contains five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests on the Say Yes! COVID Test website.

Which test should I take and what should I do based on the results?

That depends on:

Read the complete guide to testing

Antigen Testing

The at-home antigen tests are intended for current UW–Madison students and employees who:

  • Are not having symptoms AND are not a close contact of someone with COVID-19, but still want to test for COVID-19.
  • Are having symptoms OR are a close contact of someone who has tested positive*.

*If you are having symptoms OR are a close contact, you may use either an antigen test or a PCR test.

Read the complete guide to testing

How to obtain an antigen test

Antigen test kits, N95 masks and surgical-grade face masks are available to current students and employees at no cost with a valid Wiscard. Test kits are limited to one per person per calendar week, supplies permitting.

Antigen test kits can be picked up on the ground floor of 333 East Campus Mall; hours are:

  •  Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed for lunch, noon–1 p.m.
  • Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Note: No test pickups November 24-25 and December 26–January 2.

Learn more about antigen tests available in the United States.

How to take the test

You will administer the test yourself, following the instructions in the test kit. You may take the test immediately or keep it to use later.

In keeping with the State of Wisconsin’s COVID-19 reporting practices, you are not required to submit results from self-administered antigen tests to the MyUHS app or website. Currently the state requirement for reporting is a positive PCR test or a positive antigen test administered by a trained individual at a testing site.

PCR Testing

UW–Madison PCR tests are intended for current students and employees who:

  • Are having symptoms OR are a close contact of someone who has tested positive*.
  • Are completing a second test as recommended to confirm an antigen result.

* If you are having symptoms OR are a close contact, you may use either an antigen test or a PCR test.

Read the complete guide to testing

How to get a PCR test

Appointments: Make an appointment in the MyUHS app or web portal. PCR testing is available at ground floor 333 East Campus Mall. 

Hours: Testing is available by appointment Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed at the noon hour for lunch), and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Note: No PCR testing November 24-25 and December 26–January 2.

How to take the test

Testing site staff will guide you through the testing process at your appointment time. It may take up to 72 hours to receive results.

If you no longer need to test or cannot keep your appointment, please cancel as soon as possible so it can be offered to someone else.

PCR tests performed on campus are automatically shared via the MyUHS app and website. If you receive a positive PCR test result off-campus, upload the result via the MyUHS app or website.