COVID-19 Asymptomatic Testing Requirement Change

When we returned to campus for the fall quarter, we committed to the ongoing review and assessment of our campus safety protocols. For the first three weeks of the term, we carefully tracked viral activity on campus and developed predictive models to understand the most effective way to identify and mitigate potential outbreaks among our campus community. Based on low viral activity on campus, the compliance of our campus community with masking and our understanding of the spread of the Delta variant, we have determined that a three-pronged strategy for COVID testing is the most effective way to proactively detect the presence of COVID-19 on our campus.

All individuals regardless of vaccination status who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should test.
All residential students regardless of vaccination status are required to test if there is a positive wastewater signal in their building. It is recommended that all students and employees who have used the restroom facilities, regardless of vaccination status, in a facility with a positive wastewater signal should test.
Third, all unvaccinated individuals, because of the higher susceptibility to SARS CoV-2, particularly the Delta variant, are required to test twice weekly, between three and five days apart. For unvaccinated individuals who are on-site less than once a week, please see the Testing Policy for more information.

Breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals are associated with a much more rapid decline in virus and the viral RNA that is detected is much less likely to cultivate.

As a result, we are making an immediate change to our testing policy for asymptomatic, fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff. Effective today, mandatory, weekly testing for asymptomatic, fully vaccinated individuals is no longer required.

All UC San Diego employees and students who are reporting to campus or any other physical UC San Diego location must continue to complete and submit the daily self-screening for COVID-19.

Asymptomatic, fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff are still permitted to test weekly, if they choose. Self-test vending machine locations on campus can be found on the Return to Learn website.

We continue to be guided by science in all of our decisions that impact the safety of our campus community and will reassess and adapt based on our evolving understanding of the science and its implications. Thank you for your continued commitment to a healthy campus community.

Pradeep K. Khosla
Chancellor