On-campus COVID-19 saliva testing and contract testing

Throughout the pandemic, UIC has relied on COVID-19 saliva testing and contact tracing programs to minimize the spread of COVID-19 among our campus community. UIC now offers the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based test on campus.

SHIELD registration and obtaining saliva test results

Test results will be available using SHIELD Illinois’ “Point and Click” system within 48 hours. You must create an account (using Agency Code flames22) to view your results. Test results will no longer be available in UI Health MyChart.

If you have questions about your test, contact the SHIELD Illinois patient hotline at 217-265-6059.

Testing locations

UIC offers the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based test at Student Center East, Student Center West and the Physical Education Building, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, effective Jan. 9. Please arrive 15 minutes before closing.

Saliva testing is also available at the UIC SHIELD Illinois Lab, 2201 W. Campbell Park Dr., Room 115, Chicago, at the regional campuses in Rockford and Peoria and at the Law School.

Testing locations will be closed for the following upcoming holidays:
Monday, Feb. 20 – President’s Day

Who should test

Mandatory COVID-19 testing is no longer required for unvaccinated individuals. Beginning Jan. 9, individuals testing on-campus will self-collect and self-register their saliva sample using SHIELD Illinois’ “Point and Click” system. This is the same portal where you obtain your test results. Carefully follow the instruction sheet provided at the testing sites and view an instructional video to activate your self-collection test kit. Testing kits may be picked up and returned to any on-campus location.

Before the test

Be sure that you’ve registered for SHIELD Illinois’ “Point and Click” system.
Faculty, staff and students will be able to pick up a sample collection kit that can be used at your convenience and dropped off at any campus testing location. Samples should be dropped off within 4 hours of collection.
You should NOT eat, drink or put anything in your mouth one hour before taking the salvia-based test. This includes smoking, tobacco/vape, chewing gum, using mouth wash, etc.
If you are under the age of 18, you must provide a signed consent form from your parent/guardian before testing.
Learn more about the SHIELD Illinois saliva test.
Should a student be unable to independently conduct the saliva testing due to mobility, ambulatory, or other disability, it is advised that the student contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@uic.edu or 312-996-8332 at least two days prior to the testing date.
Should an employee be unable to independently conduct the saliva testing due to mobility, ambulatory, or other disability, it is advised that the employee contact the Office for Access and Equity at oaeada@uic.eduor 312-996-0512 at least two days prior to the testing date.

What to expect when taking the test

Individuals testing on-campus must self-collect and self-register their saliva sample using SHIELD Illinois’ “Point and Click” system. This is the same portal where you obtain your test results. Carefully follow the instruction sheet provided at the testing sites and view an instructional video to activate your self-collection test kit.
Individuals will pick up a self-collection kit at a SHIELD station that can be used at their convenience and dropped off at any campus testing location. Samples should be dropped off within 4 hours of collection. The process only takes a few minutes and is painless. You do not need to test at the pick-up/drop-off location and you may test in the privacy of your own residence, office or restroom. You must register your saliva sample using SHIELD Illinois’ “Point and Click” system prior to dropping off the sample.
If you test positive, you will be provided with follow-up isolation instructions and will be contacted by UIC contact tracing. Participating in contact tracing is part of UIC’s strategy to keep the campus safe.

Do NOT take the saliva test:

If you have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days. (Testing positive another time within 90 days of a prior positive test does not mean that you are infectious to others.)

Contact tracing

COVID-19 saliva testing at the University of Illinois Chicago. (Joshua Clark/University of Illinois Chicago)

The UIC contact tracing team is responsible for contacting students, faculty and staff who test positive using on-campus saliva testing, as well as those testing positive at University Health Services and Student Health Services, and those who self-report any other tests. UIC contact tracing counsels individuals on isolation, identifies and notifies their close contacts on campus, monitors both groups for COVID-19 symptoms, and connects individuals in need with campus and external resources to successfully complete isolation and the post-exposure period.

Contact tracing has shifted to increasingly email-driven operations (rather than telephone-based) to streamline operations and ensure rapid sustained service to the UIC community. Closely monitor your UIC inbox on a daily basis for any communications from contact tracing, uic_contact_tracing@uic.edu. Some individuals who test positive for COVID-19 may still receive communication by phone, 312-355-2555.

Contact tracing hours of operation are:

Tuesday through Saturday, noon-8 p.m.
Although operations will be closed on Mondays, the inbox (uic_contact_tracing@uic.edu) will be monitored for questions.

Everyone who tests should update their university contact information using the following resources:

Students visit the Student Self-Service.
Employees visit the Human Resources portal.

If you are a student or employee, please report COVID-19 symptoms and exposures to a COVID-positive individual using the online reporting tool.

A key component of contact tracing is to obtain a list of persons who may have been exposed to infected individuals. If an individual receives a positive test result it will be important to begin compiling a list of persons with whom they have been in direct physical or close contact, particularly if that involved close contact (within 6 feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, and is regardless of mask-wearing). After assembling a list of contacts, UIC contact tracing will notify any UIC employee or student who may have been exposed to an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 through email. Every effort will be made to keep the name of the infected individual confidential. The communication will include a link to a brief survey which will provide the person with tailored testing and symptom monitoring guidance based on their responses. These responses will be closely monitored for any indication of individuals requiring additional support and guidance.

For additional information about isolation and exposure guidance, printable fact sheets are available:

For additional information about Contact Tracing classroom procedures:

UIC Healthcheck and Daily Pass

The UIC Healthcheck and Daily Pass tools are no longer used on campus, effective May 9, 2022.

Cost

Testing is free to all UIC students, faculty and staff.

Eligibility

Saliva testing is available to current students, faculty and staff with a NetID and i-card.

Urbana-Champaign and Springfield undergraduate students who participate in in-person instruction or internships in Chicago may be eligible for on-campus saliva testing at the Chicago campus. Please contact covidtesting@uic.edu to determine eligibility.

Faculty, staff, and graduate students from Urbana-Champaign who are based in Chicago for work and/or research activities will continue to be eligible for testing.

Please visit the Urbana-Champaign saliva testing webpage or Springfield saliva testing webpage for additional information.