Testing

Regular testing is recommended if you are unvaccinated. Getting tested is expected if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, regardless of vaccination status.
Residents living on campus should review the Residence Life COVID-19 page.

How to schedule a rapid, antigen COVID-19 test on campus (UWL Cartwright Center)

• Register a profile on the WHL website: https://www.wihealthconnect.com/ (the company administrating antigen BinaxNow testing in Cartwright Center). If you are a UWL student or employee, use your UWL email. 
• Complete the assessment
• Pick an appointment time, follow instructions for receiving the test and results.
• Complete the rapid antigen test at your appointment time in Cartwright Center, 3rd floor.
• NEW: It is requested you remain ON-SITE to await your results. You will need to log into your profile to retrieve your results: portal.uwlax.vivi.healthcare, typically 15-30 minutes turnaround.You will not receive a notification email that the results are ready.

There is no reminder/notification email of your antigen test being ready. You will need to log into your profile to view your test results: portal.uwlax.vivi.healthcare. Test results typically arrive within 15-30 minutes of your antigen test. 
UWL employees/students use your NET ID to log in.
Community Members use your cell phone number to log in.
Problems or technical difficulties accessing the UW Portal, antigen results, etc. contact the UW System Hotline: 608.855.9191.

This program is open to university employees, off-campus students and anyone ages 5 years and older, in the broader community.

These tests are free for everyone. 

Tests will be conducted on the third floor of Cartwright Center, UW-La Crosse.

Testing Hours:
Starting April 4^th, the hours of operation for COVID testing will be reduced to Wednesday & Friday only, 8am – 4pm both days.
The testing center will remain open until May 13^th.

These are antigen tests that will yield results relatively quickly — in as little as 15 minutes. More specifically, these are Abbott BinaxNOW tests.

No. However, you will be asked about potential symptoms when you register. 

Please register at https://uwlax.vivi.healthcare/ before showing up to get tested. Participants must also use the site to obtain results. 

The rapid antigen test is administered using a light nasal swab under the supervision of medical professionals. 

Parking is available on the streets around campus.  Take note that some streets have parking time limits while others are pay-to-park through the city of La Crosse.

• View the UWL Campus Map

Questions about parking during your COVID-19 test? Call UWL Parking Services at 608.785.8061

PCR test will be used to confirm asymptomatic, positive antigen tests or symptomatic, negative antigen tests.

• PCR test:
  • Usually a swab from a person's nose or throat.
  • The test looks for the genetic material (RNA) of the coronavirus.
• Antigen test:
  • Usually a swab from a person’s nose or throat.
  • The test looks for proteins that are on the surface of the virus.

• If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19
• If you have had a negative antigen test but are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19
• If you have had a positive antigen test but are not experiencing any symptoms

• PCR tests are more sensitive than antigen tests and can detect smaller amounts of virus in the body, so may be better able to detect COVID illness when someone is earlier in their illness.
• Detecting illness early ensures the infected individual can start isolating right away, and reduces the chance they can spread the illness to others.
• If you have a negative antigen test but are experiencing symptoms, it may be that the amount of virus in your body is too low for the antigen test to detect it. A PCR test helps confirm the antigen test results.
• If you have a positive antigen result but are not experiencing symptoms, the PCR test helps confirm the antigen test results.

• The Cartwright testing site, 2nd floor, hours are the same as the antigen test, listed above.  Use this site:
  •  PCR test will be used to confirm asymptomatic, positive antigen tests or symptomatic, negative antigen tests.
• Off Campus COVID Testing (all PCR):
  • Local health systems, be sure to CALL FIRST:
    • Gundersen Nurse Line: 608-775-4454
    • Mayo Nurse Line: 507-293-9525
  • Free Community National Guard Testing sites- Occur throughout the week at various sites. https://www.lacrossecounty.org/covid19/testing-information

All patients will receive an email stating that their result is available in the portal, positive or negative; only the positives will get the follow-up phone call. 

If you have testing procedure or portal questions, contact: UW System Hotline at 608.855.9191

ALL: Immediately begin isolation, and:

UWL Student: Call or email the COVID-19 Hotline: 608-785-8559 OPTION 3, selfreport@uwlax.edu. Stay in your UWL residence till you receive instructions from the health professionals at the hotline.

UWL Employee: Immediately call your health provider and follow their instructions. Notify your UWL supervisor or UWL chair AND call or email the COVID hotline: 608-785-8559, option 3; selfreport@uwlax.edu

General Community: Follow your local health care provider instructors.

Review the CDC's guidelines on Isolation.

General questions? Call 608-785-8559 option 1

Please contact the UW system Hotline: phone number is 608-855-9191.