FA President Dante Morelli (above) as well as the other FA officers have taken the mandatory Covid test on campus, as all have been reporting to the FA office on a staggered schedule. (photo by Sean Tvelia)

The FA officers have received several calls about the mandatory Covid testing on campus. Below are some answers to the frequently asked questions that we have been receiving.

It is important to note that this information is subject to change.

1. Why is SCCC requiring Covid testing?
   
   The testing requirement is a SUNY mandate. Everyone working or attending classes on a SUNY campus must be tested for Covid.  
   
   
2. Why is SUNY requiring these tests?
   
   Data from these tests can be used to make decisions on what the SUNY campuses need to do to make their campuses safe. This information is published on the SUNY Covid dashboard.
   
   
3. Who has to get tested?
   
   All on-campus students, faculty and staff. If you are not required to be on campus, you do not need to come on campus to be tested. On-campus employees will be tested during their shift.
   
   
4. How do I make an appointment to be tested?
   
   Before being tested for the first time, you must create an account with the SUNY Upstate Medical Center. It doesn't take long, but still we recommend that you set up your account before arriving for your test to limit your time in the building.
   
   You do not have to make an appointment to be tested; simply show up at any of the posted testing times. Complete instructions can be found at SCCC’s Mandatory Covid-19 Employee Testing webpage.
   
   
5. What type of test is being conducted?
   
   We are participating in pool saliva testing. You will be asked to take a sample by swabbing your cheeks. Samples are then bundled and sent to SUNY Upstate Medical Center. If the pool test is positive, each individual sample will be tested to determine who has Covid.
   
   
6. How frequently will I be tested?
   
   Our spring testing plan has not yet been approved by SUNY. Employees and students will most likely be tested 3-5 times during the spring semester, but this is subject to change.
   
   
7. Will I be notified of the test results?
   
   You will only be notified if you test positive. If you are not contacted within seven days, you tested negative. If you test positive, you will be contacted by Human Resources regarding your next steps, which will include getting an additional PCR test to confirm the results. Employees who are required quarantine will not have to use their accruals.
   
   
8. Who will have access to my medical information?
   
   Your medical information is protected by HIPAA and the MOA that the FA signed with college administration. The college will not be contacted if you test negative. If you test positive, Human Resources will only share this information on a need-to-know basis. Records will be destroyed if no longer needed.
   
   
9. Will I be charged for the test?
   
   There will be no charge for the pool saliva test. Any additional testing will be processed through the employee health plan. Employees will not be charged for the mandatory tests required by the college.
   
   
10. Can I opt out of the test?
    
    Employees can choose to be tested off site on their own time. Before being tested off campus, however, employees should email Human Resources to get approval.
    
    
11. How long does it take to be tested?
    
    Most of the FA officers have been tested and the entire process has taken five to ten minutes. The test sites are very well organized and are managed by registered nurses aided by SCCC nursing students who receive clinical experience.
    
    
12. Where can I get testing times and other up-to-date information about SCCC’s Covid testing program?
    
    You can get current information including the testing schedule at SCCC’s Mandatory Covid-19 Employee Testing webpage.


13. How many people at SCCC tested positive for COVID during the fall semester?
    
    SCCC's pool testing in the fall went remarkably well, and the positive rate was extremely low compared to the rate in Suffolk County. SCCC's positive rate for the semester was .24%. This number has been climbing slowly. SCCC's positive rate for the last fourteen days is .45%, and the positive rate for the last seven days in Suffolk County is 6.3%.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.