Test Iowa
The College is now a Test Iowa home PCR kit pick-up site. These tests are available for free to Iowa residents for home/residence hall delivery from the Iowa Department of Public Health Test Iowa (see below for how to request test kits). The College is also ordering kits and we are happy to be able to provide a backup option for those wishing to test.
A dedicated courier service has been implemented to transport kits to the State Hygienic Lab in Coralville. This service will greatly reduce the turnaround time for test results and make PCR tests a more convenient and timely option for our campus community. The secure drop box is available at the JRC Information Desk.
Request a Test Iowa Kit
For direct shipment to you please use the Request a Test Iowa Kit Form
To pick up a kit from the College for yourself or members of your household (1 per household member):
- Staff: Contact HR (641-269-4818)
- Faculty: Contact the Dean’s office (641-269-3100)
- Students: Visit Student Affairs, third Floor Rosenfield Center (JRC), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or after hours visit Campus Safety.
- Preschool Families: Contact Karen Veerhusen-Langerud (veerhuse@grinnell.edu or 641-269-3320)
Drop Box and Courier Information
Follow the Test Iowa instructions to properly activate the kit, collect your sample, and package your test. Do not write any personal identifying information on the exterior of the shipping envelope. Deposit the sealed envelope in the drop box.
Location: Information Desk in the Joe Rosenfield Center (JRC) lobby
Courier pick up times:
The courier pick-up times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. Same-day results will be available for tests deposited before the courier pick-up time.
Test Results
Grinnell College will not receive or have access to view test results from physician-administered tests, over-the-counter tests, or Test Iowa tests.
If the results are positive, employees should refer to the Faculty and Staff Protocols for Exposure or Contracting COVID-19 for guidance. Students should contact SHAW immediately at 641-269-3230; or after hours call Campus Safety at 641-269-4600 to reach the RLC on call.
Additional Access to COVID Tests
Visit the COVIDtests.gov website to find additional resources.
The College health insurance plan now covers up to eight over the counter at home tests per month (up to $12 per test). Tests can be purchased at most in-network pharmacies – you can view in-network pharmacies here. If you purchase a test at an in-network pharmacy counter they can bill Wellmark directly. If you purchase a test from an out-of-network pharmacy or at a regular checkout counter, you must pay out of pocket and then submit a reimbursement request. Contact Wellmark Customer Service at (800) 800-5122 with questions.
Employees experiencing symptoms can get rapid antigen tests and employees and their household members can get PCR tests by contacting HR at (641) 269-4818 (staff) or the Dean's office (641) 269-3100 (faculty).
COVID Test to Treat
The CDC has recently shared the new nationwide Test to Treat initiative which provides quick access to free treatment for COVID-19. Through this program, people can get tested through their local provider or urgent care clinic – and if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a free prescription to be filled at one of the approved pharmacy locations.
Use this tool to find the Test to Treat locations near you. Please note: the Hy-Vee and Walmart pharmacies in Grinnell cannot fill prescriptions for COVID-19 medications at this time. People can continue to be tested and treated by their own health care providers who can appropriately prescribe these oral antivirals at locations where the medicines are distributed. SHAW providers will work with students individually who test positive on campus to determine if this treatment is necessary and how to obtain the medication if needed.