As the holidays approach and COVID-19 cases in Nebraska climb, free COVID-19 saliva testing remains available for asymptomatic students, staff and faculty members.
On the Omaha campus, testing is available in the atrium of the Williams Science Hall, level one. No reservations are needed, but individuals should register online prior to testing. The move allows for testing to be indoors as the weather turns colder.
The hours for saliva testing the week of Thanksgiving are as follows:
- Nov. 22 — Regular hours (8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Nov. 23 — Extended hours (8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Nov. 24-26 — Closed
Regular testing hours — Monday through Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. — will resume the week of Nov. 29.
The Williams Science Hall site is open to all UNMC faculty, staff and students who are not sick and want to be tested for COVID-19 for any reason. Saliva PCR testing is easy — simply spit in a tube — and results are returned by email within a day.
UNMC’s Regional Pathology Services will staff the indoor testing site, which is for asymptomatic individuals only. Testing will be performed by the UNMC Emerging Pathogens Laboratory.
An alternative, self-collected COVID testing method also is available. Nasal swab collection for COVID PCR testing can be obtained at the Nebraska Medicine Doctors Building South. This is a simple, painless nasal swab that can be self-administered and is not a nasopharyngeal test.
An appointment is required, and walk-ins are not allowed. Use this link to review available dates and times and reserve an appointment. Testing is performed by the Nebraska Public Health Lab, and results are emailed.
Individuals on the Omaha campus who have COVID-19 symptoms should contact Student Health (402-559-7204) or Employee Health (402-552-3563) for recommendations on testing.
UNMC faculty, staff and students on campuses outside of Omaha can obtain testing through the following resources. (Details vary per site so please make direct contact for more info):
- Kearney campus — UNK Student Health at 1-308-865-8279 or email UNKHealth@unk.edu. Learn more. UNK Student Health will close Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. and open Monday, Nov. 29 at 8 a.m.
- Lincoln campus — Learn more about UNL’s saliva-based testing program. UNL testing locations will be closed Nov. 24-26.
- Norfolk campus — PCR COVID testing is available through Faith Regional Occupational Medicine, including through the holiday. Learn more.
- Scottsbluff campus — For the week of Thanksgiving, testing is available through the Walgreens drive-thru.