COVID-19 Resources
The health and safety of the Boston University community continuing to be at the forefront of the work that we do in the BU Occupational Health Center, please review the information below and on the linked pages to learn more about how the COVID-19 protocols.
Symptomatic and Close Contact Exposure PCR Testing
- We will continue to process COVID-19 specimens for employees who are experiencing symptoms or who have had a close contact exposure.
- The location for symptomatic and close contact exposure testing COVID-19 test kit pick-up and specimen drop-off will be located in the rear of Agganis Arena at 925 Commonwealth Ave.
- Instructions on how to pick up COVID-19 self-test kits, activate the test kit and drop off specimens may be found here.
- If you work on the medical campus, you can utilize the testing services on the Charles River Campus.
Rapid Antigen Testing
- While PCR testing remains the gold standard for COVID-19 testing, at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests have greatly increased access to testing for many individuals. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is now recommending the following repeat testing instructions below to reduce your risk of false negative results:
- If you receive a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result, the test did not detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the time of that test.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, for a total of at least two tests.
- If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms, but you have been exposed to COVID-19, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, then 48 hours after the second negative test, for a total of at least three tests.
Protocol for Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test Results: Employees
- If you test positive for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), your result will be released immediately in your Occupational Health Connect Portal to inform you that you must isolate as soon as possible.
- Please review the isolation guidelines here.
- You must also inform your supervisor or manager as soon as possible that you are unable to come into work. They will no longer receive the work restriction notice.
Protocol for Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test Results: Managers
If you are a manager and an employee reporting to you tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), they will need to isolate per these guidelines and inform you as soon as possible that they are unable to come into work. You will not receive a work restriction email for your employee. Employees will not need to inform Occupational Health about their positive test results.
COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests:
While PCR testing remains the gold standard for COVID-19 testing, at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests have greatly increased access to testing for many individuals. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is now recommending the following repeat testing instructions below to reduce your risk of false negative results:
- If you receive a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result, the test did not detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the time of that test.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, for a total of at least two tests.
- If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms, but you have been exposed to COVID-19, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, then 48 hours after the second negative test, for a total of at least three tests.
COVID-19 Medical Questions
Please direct all COVID-19 related medical questions and concerns to the Occupational Health Center at 617-353-6630 on weekdays from 9am-5pm.
COVID-19 Non-Medical Questions
Please continue to direct all work-related, nonmedical COVID-19 questions related to Human Resources at 617-353-2380 or covidhelp@bu.edu on weekdays from 9am-5pm.