COVID-19 Information

COVID VACCINATIONS & TESTING

Students, faculty, and staff are required to receive all recommended doses in their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and one booster dose when eligible, or have an approved exemption. Students, faculty, and staff who are new to Dartmouth must submit documentation of vaccination or an approved exemption before beginning their study or their work at Dartmouth. Students, faculty, and staff who become eligible while at Dartmouth must submit documentation of vaccination or an approved exemption within 30 days of becoming eligible.

Accepted COVID-19 vaccines are those that received full approval or emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or those that received or are undergoing assessment for emergency use listing (PDF) by the World Health Organization.

• Students must submit vaccination documentation to the Dartmouth College Health Service through the Health Service portal. Those who would like to request a vaccination exemption may do so through the Dartmouth College Health Service. Read the student COVID-19 vaccination FAQsfor more information.
• Faculty and staff must submit vaccination documentation to Axiom Medical, Dartmouth’s Occupational Medicine provider. Those who would like to request a vaccination exemption may do so through the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity. Read the employee COVID-19 vaccination FAQs for more information.

Testing is required for students, faculty, and staff who:

• Have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they tested positive in the prior 90 days;
• Are attempting to end isolation before Day 10;
• Are a close contact to someone who has COVID-19;
• Need to confirm a rapid antigen test result;
• Are students directed to test as part of the arrival process for the start of term;
• Must comply with external requirements, such as the requirements for NCAA athletes.

Students, faculty, and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to wear a face mask, isolate immediately according to Dartmouth’s isolation guidance, and notify their close contacts. Students must report their positive test result to the Dartmouth College Health Service by emailing dicks.house.nurse@dartmouth.edu. Faculty and staff must report their positive test result to Axiom Medical by calling 833-408-1338. For more information, read Dartmouth’s testing resources, frequently asked questions on testing, and resources for coping with COVID-19 and post-COVID.

TESTING RESOURCES

It is good practice to have at least two rapid antigen tests easily accessible to you in case you have to test. Students, faculty, and staff can pick up four take-home rapid antigen tests at a time at designated pick-up locations on and around campus. COVID-19 tests are also available through health care providers and local pharmacies, through resources provided by the New Hampshire and Vermont state health departments, and through resources provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Organizers of Dartmouth-sponsored in-person events can purchase take-home rapid antigen tests through Dartmouth to provide to attendees who choose to test. Read Dartmouth’s event guidance for more information.

Dartmouth faculty and staff enrolled in one of Dartmouth’s health insurance plans can get up to eight free at-home over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests, per covered individual per month, through Express Scripts. Instructions on how to get your free test kits can be found at dartgo.org/covid-updates.

Students who test positive and need a rapid antigen test can call the Dartmouth College Health Service nursing department at 603-646-944 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to set up curbside pick-up. Faculty and staff who test positive and need a rapid antigen test can email occupational.medicine@dartmouth.edu. Students, faculty, and staff can also contact their health care provider or local pharmacy to ask about how to get a rapid antigen test when positive.

Read Dartmouth’s frequently asked questions on testing for more information.

WHEN TO WEAR A FACE MASK

Regardless of vaccination status, you are required to wear a face mask:

• If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19;
• For at least 10 days after you first test positive for COVID-19, even if you tested out of isolation on Day 5 or Day 7;
• For at least 10 days after you were last in close contact with someone who has an active case of COVID-19 (in which the person with COVID-19 had symptoms or initially tested positive in the 10 days prior);
• When you are at a COVID-19 testing center, at the Dartmouth College Health Service, or for employees as designated in isolation spaces;
• Where required through a contract with an external organization (e.g., the Hopkins Center agreement with the Broadway League, and the Athletics department with the NCAA);
• When you are on public transportation, including the Dartmouth Coach and transportation provided by Advance Transit, according to guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It remains a best practice to keep a face mask with you at all times as there will be situations outside of those mentioned above where masks continue to be required in the community.

There may be times when you or others around you choose to wear a mask even if it is not required; for example, if you or someone close to you is at high risk of severe disease. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask around others, you are encouraged to do so. Please be respectful of those who choose to wear a face mask, and do not ask about one another’s health or family situation.

KN95 face masks are available at take-home test pick-up locations on and around campus. Dartmouth students who need a face mask can also contact their student affairs office and Dartmouth faculty and staff can contact their supervisor or department head.

VISITORS

Dartmouth recommends that all visitors 5 years of age or older:

• Are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including getting a booster dose within 30 days of becoming eligible; OR
• Receive a negative test result from a COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid antigen) taken within 72 hours prior, preferably as close to access as possible; OR
• Have tested positive for COVID-19 within the 90 days prior and recovered (i.e., they have ended isolation and do not have symptoms).

Individuals are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations after receiving all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including booster doses once they are eligible.

Visitors can find more information on accessing COVID-19 tests through the New Hampshire and Vermont public health departments or visitors can use a self-test kit.

Visitors must not access a Dartmouth location or Dartmouth-sponsored in-person event if:

• They are in isolation or quarantine;
• They are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 including the following:
  • A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or felt feverish in the last 72 hours;
  • New respiratory symptoms including a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath;
  • General body symptoms such as new muscle aches, chills, or severe fatigue;
  • New gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
  • Any new change in their sense of taste or smell.

Visitors who develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 while at a Dartmouth location or event, or within 48 hours of being at Dartmouth, should isolate immediately and follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) isolation guidance. The visitor should also inform their close contacts. For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was less than 6 feet away from you for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

If identified as a close contact, visitors should wear a face mask, limit close contacts with others, contact their primary care provider, and follow the CDC’s quarantine guidance.