Dear Santa Clara University Community, 

We write with recommendations for staying safe over the holidays, as well as updates on our campus wastewater monitoring.

Thanksgiving Break: Know before you go! 

Keep your friends and family safe by taking a COVID-19 test:

• Prior to travel
• Before gathering with friends and family
• Before traveling back to SCU, especially if you have been around anyone experiencing symptoms
• 3-5 days after traveling

Color PCR testing continues to be available Monday - Friday. Tests are picked up at 3pm from the Benson Memorial Center, Charney Hall, Guadalupe Hall, Health Ambassadors table, Lucas Hall, and SCDI. During Thanksgiving week, tests will only be collected Monday and Tuesday (11/21 and 11/22). 

For JST only, during Thanksgiving week, Color PCR tests will be collected Tuesday, November 22 at 1:30pm. Tests will not be collected Wednesday, November 23. 

Rapid antigen tests will be available at the Health Ambassadors table, located outside of the Learning Commons, Monday - Friday 11am - 3pm through Friday, November 18. The Health Ambassadors will return to normal hours Monday, November 28. During finals week, December 5-9, the Health Ambassadors will have reduced hours and will be available 12pm - 2pm. 

If you are concerned about accessing a rapid antigen test over Thanksgiving week to use before returning to campus, please reach out to covid19@scu.edu. We will work with you to make sure you have access to a rapid antigen test before leaving for the holiday break.

Wastewater Monitoring

Along with Color PCR and rapid testing data, SCU has been monitoring COVID-19, influenza, and RSV on campus through wastewater sampling. This data is published weekly on our Prepared SCU Dashboard.

Looking Ahead

We know that a COVID-19 infection can cause significant stress, especially with final projects and exams on the horizon. If you are not feeling well, get tested and stay home. If you test positive, report your test result - we are here for you and will assist you through the isolation period. To learn more about the testing schedule over the holidays, please visit Prepared SCU. 

Masks will be required in classrooms during Week 1 and Week 2 of Winter quarter. We will share more information and reminders and we get closer to the Winter quarter. 

Finally, we encourage everyone who is eligible to get the new bivalent booster to protect you, your family, and your friends from the more contagious COVID-19 omicron variants.

Broncos, we are all in this together. Do your part to keep our community safe and healthy.

Stay safe and well,

SCU COVID-19 Operations Team