UC San Diego Asymptomatic Employee COVID-19 Testing Available Now

All faculty, staff and student employees are now eligible to schedule a no-cost asymptomatic COVID-19 test.

The purpose of the testing, which is part of the campus’ multifaceted Return to Learn Program, is to promote a healthy workplace and prioritize campus and employee safety. The test takes only about 15 minutes in our drive-thru locations, and you can schedule your appointment at the most convenient testing site from the list below, including the new walk-up testing site at the Price Center.

The COVID-19 PCR test is administered with a mid-turbinate nasal swab and detects the presence of active virus even though you may not have symptoms. This test does not measure antibodies or detect whether or not you have had the virus in the past. All employee testing is voluntary.

Why sign up to take your test if you have no symptoms?

“Over the last few months, numerous studies have pointed to the absence of symptoms in many of those with COVID-19,” said Dr. Robert “Chip” Schooley, a professor in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a leader of UC San Diego’s Return to Learn program. “Without symptoms, many people with COVID-19 infections aren’t even aware they are carriers of the virus. By testing the asymptomatic, we can identify these individuals, inform them of their infection, and urge them to self-isolate and stay home until they have recovered from their virus. This prevents any further transmission of COVID-19 and saves others from possible exposure.”

Schooley added, “With your help and with everyone working together, we can enhance the health and well-being of our greater UC San Diego community.”

Screening and Testing for a Safer Campus Environment

UC San Diego’s Return to Learn Program is aimed at allowing the campus to return to what it does best—teaching, learning, conducting pioneering research and serving our communities—in the safest way possible. Screening and testing results continually inform key decisions about how our university can most effectively detect cases early, lower transmission risk, and respond to potential outbreaks.

Broad asymptomatic testing for students, faculty and staff is a unique benefit for the campus. All COVID-19 tests provided by UC San Diego Health or self-administered through the Return to Learn program will be at no cost to participating faculty, staff and students.

Our infectious disease experts and epidemiologists believe that this program of broad testing will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and allow the campus to respond quickly in the event of an outbreak in our community.

In order to protect the privacy of all UC San Diego employees and make this ambitious program possible, UC San Diego needs to establish a secure record repository to store employee testing information. The most secure record keeping system available at UC San Diego for health information is the Epic electronic health record system managed by UC San Diego Health. This system uses state-of-the art encryption technology, has numerous safeguards against improper and unauthorized access and is frequently audited to ensure private records remain confidential.

For more information on Epic, the secure recordkeeping system available at UC San Diego for health information, please read the full Aug. 14 campus notice.

Scheduling your asymptomatic test is quick and easy, here’s how

To schedule your asymptomatic COVID-19 test, follow the steps below:

1. Click the link: https://covid19testing.ucsd.edu/Asymptomatic/Campus
2. Enter your Active Directory username and password
3. Click the Login button
4. Select the day and time for your 15-minute COVID test. You can use the location and/or day/time filters to narrow options.
5. On the confirmation screen, in the Reason for Visit box input: “COVID Testing” and select “SCHEDULE IT!”
6. To complete the scheduling process, log in with your MyUCSDChart account. If you do not have a MyUCSDChart account, select “CONTINUE” under the Continue as Guest header and fill in the information requested. Registering will ensure that you can access your test results.
   1. Please note that you will need to have your insurance information available to complete registration Under “Who will be paying for costs not covered by insurance” select “Someone Else.” Note: this is a standard step in registering to have care at UC San Diego Health, but neither you nor your insurance will be billed for this asymptomatic test.

Please note: if you have already undergone asymptomatic testing through UC San Diego Health, do not repeat your test. Repeat asymptomatic tests will not be processed at this time. UC San Diego will continue to provide free testing for symptomatic individuals or those with medically confirmed exposure to COVID-19. Periodic risk-based asymptomatic testing will begin in October.

If you are having symptoms of COVID-19, have a confirmed exposure to a COVID-19 infected individual, or a household member has been diagnosed with COVID-19, do not use the asymptomatic testing process. Instead, complete your daily symptom and exposure screening and call the Testing Support Line at 619-543-8260.

Testing Sites and Times (ALL LOCATIONS ARE AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

Price Center Walk Up
Price Center West, Ballroom B
Hours: Mon.: Tues., Wed., Fri.: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thurs.: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sat. and Sun.: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Hillcrest Drive Up
UC San Diego Medical Center
4168 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92103
Hours: 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m.
Located in the parking lot across from the MOS Clinic

La Jolla Drive Up
9331 Athena Circle
La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours: 8:15 a.m.-noon and 1-4:45 p.m.
Located in parking lot number is P782

Encinitas Drive Up
1505 Encinitas Boulevard
Encinitas, CA 92024
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:45 p.m.

Rancho Bernardo Drive Up
16950 Via Tazon
San Diego, CA 92127
Hours: 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m.

Eastlake Drive Up
2295 Otay Lakes Road
Chula Vista, CA 91915
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.
Located in Target parking lot

Test Results:
You will usually receive your results in 24-36 hours. In order to access your COVID-19 test result, you will need to register for a MyUCSDChart account. If you do not have an account, an access code to sign up for MyChart will be sent to you in the appointment confirmation email.

Possible results:
Negative (Not Detected): There is no significant clinical follow up required. See your MyUCSDChart account for additional information.

Positive (Detected): You will be contacted by a UC San Diego healthcare provider for care instructions. If you are asymptomatic, you will be referred to the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine for return-to-work planning.

Please refer to the Return to Learn website for more information about employee testing and screening.

Questions? Please call the Testing Support Line at 619-543-8260.