Student Health COVID-19 Updates

Health Services will provide current University at Buffalo students (and their families) with the latest information and service announcements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this page:

Testing - UB Surveillance

UB has implemented a COVID-19 surveillance testing program for asymptomatic community members. Learn more about this invitation-based preventative testing process

Testing - Showing Symptoms/Close Contacts

If you have symptoms or have been a close contact of someone who has tested positive, see below for testing options.

Residential Students

Students who live on-campus who are experiencing symptoms within the past 10 days, have had a positive COVID-19 viral test result in the past 10 days, have had interaction with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 positive case within the past 14 days, or have risk due to high-risk travel within the past 14 days are advised to use these contacts to arrange for temporary quarantine/isolation housing:

  • Mon. - Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Campus Living office at 716-645-2171, then hall or complex office after hours
  • Weekends/evenings - call your Hall/Complex Director

Off-Campus Students

Students who live off-campus who have experienced specific symptoms within the past 10 days or who have had interaction with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 positive case within the past 14 days are encouraged to obtain a COVID-19 test.

If you have private transportation: find a testing location near you in the table below or call the NYS testing hotline at 1-888-364-3065 and schedule an appointment.

If you do not have private transportation and live off-campus and were advised to get tested for COVID-19 by the Daily Health Check, your health care provider, or local health department:

  1. Use the table below and schedule an appointment at the nearest location.
  2. Call 716-362-9701 at least 2 hours prior to the pick-up time and identify yourself as a UB student requesting testing transportation.
  3. At the time of pick-up, you will need to present your UBID card as approved identification.

(The transportation provided is to the testing site and back to the pick-up location, no additional or alternate stops can be accommodated.)

Closest Testing Locations
Facilty Address Phone Number
New York State Testing Center - Buffalo

100 Perry St, Buffalo, NY 14204   

 1-888-364-3065
Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) - Amherst 450 Maple Rd. Amherst, NY 14221 716-858-2929
Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) - Buffalo 319 Suffolk St. Buffalo, NY14215 716-858-2929
Well Now - Amherst  3980 Sheridan Dr. Amherst NY 14226 Make an appointment online
Well Now - Amherst  3921 Harlem Rd. Buffalo, NY 14226 Make an appointment online
Well Now - Buffalo 

1751 Sheridan Dr. Buffalo, NY 14223

 Make an appointment online
Well Now - Cheektowaga 3450 Union Rd. Cheektowaga, NY 14225 Make an appointment online

*Erie County and NYS testing sites offer free testing. WellNow locations will bill your health insurance.

View a searchable map of additional testing locations.

If You Test Positive

Per the Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Health, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and are awaiting test results or if you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of your symptoms, you need to be in isolation until certain criteria are met. See the links below for the criteria and information on how to protect yourself and the community.

Erie County Commissioner's Order for Isolation
Frequently Asked Questions About the Commissioner's Order for Isolation

COVID Positive Reports

As part of UB’s comprehensive efforts to monitor and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the university has established a reporting process for students living on- and off-campus who have tested positive for the virus. 

  • University staff will record positive test results and provide students with important information regarding health, housing and academic resources. 
    • As necessary, students will be referred to their primary care provider or to UB Health Services for medical care - this process is not intended for treatment, diagnosis or immediate medical support.

For confidential reporting:

  • Call: (716) 645-1400 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Callers will be asked to leave a voicemail message outside of these hours.
  • Email: UBStudentReportingLine@buffalo.edu. Staff will respond within one business day.

What information do I need to report?

  • Name (first and last)
  • Person #
  • UBITName
  • Date of specimen collection for positive test
  • Address this semester
  • Living status (on-campus, off-campus with roommates/friends/other, off-campus with family, off-campus alone)
  • Location of isolation (on-campus, off-campus with roommates/friends/other, off-campus with family, off campus alone)
  • Date of the last time on-campus
Doctors Notes/Excuses

> We cannot provide travel clearance documents relating to COVID-19.

> We can not/do not provide documentation regarding your health infection status.

> We do not issues class excuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers are in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and New York State Health Department guidance.

  • Under what circumstances do I need to quarantine, and why is it for 14 days?

    If you are currently in quarantine due to travel from a COVID-19 advisory location OR due to being a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, BUT you have NO symptoms of COVID-19: you must quarantine for 14 days, even if you have had a negative COVID-19 test. This is because you may become infectious at any point during that 14-day period.

    These answers are in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and New York State Health Department guidance.

    Updated September 15, 2020

    Authoritative Source: Health Services

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  • Under what circumstances do I need to remain in mandatory isolation, and for how long?

    The answer will be dependent on the type of testing:

    Individual Testing Scenarios

    With a positive COVID-19 test result and you were sick (symptomatic) when you were tested, your mandatory isolation period will end when all 3 criteria are met:

    1. It has been 10 days since onset of your symptoms and
    2. You have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications and
    3. Your symptoms are improving and not getting worse.

    With a positive COVID-19 test result and you were NOT sick (asymptomatic) when you were tested, your mandatory isolation period will end:

    • 10 days after your test date - if you do not develop any symptoms OR
    • When all 3 criteria are met for those that develop symptoms while in isolation:
    1. It has been 10 days since onset of your symptoms and
    2. You have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications and
    3. Your symptoms are improving and not getting worse.

    If you are in isolation because you had a COVID-19 test and are waiting for results, and now your results are negative your isolation period will end:

    • If you were sick during your test: your mandatory isolation can be discontinued. However, if you still feel sick you should stay home until you start feeling better. While COVID-19 may have been ruled out, you could have another type of contagious infection.
    • If you were NOT sick during your test: you must continue to quarantine for 14 days after your last exposure to a COVID-19 case or after your last date of travel from a COVID-19 advisory location, even if your COVID-19 test is negative. This is because you may become infectious at any point during that 14-day period.

    Surveillance (Pool) Testing Scenarios

    If you are in isolation because you participated in “pool” surveillance testing and you were told your “pool” was positive, you must isolate as follows based on the results of your individual test:

    • Negative: you can discontinue mandatory isolation immediately as long as you have not developed any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Positive and you have not developed any signs/symptoms: isolation will continue for 10 days after your test date
    • Positive and you display signs or symptoms: you must remain in isolation until all 3 criteria are met:
    1. It’s been 10 days since onset of your symptoms and
    2. You have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications and
    3. Your symptoms are improving and not getting worse.

    If you are in isolation because you participated in “pool” surveillance testing and you were told your “pool” was positive, you must isolate as follows based on the results of your individual test:

    • Negative: you can discontinue mandatory isolation immediately as long as you have not developed any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Positive and you have not developed any signs/symptoms: isolation will continue for 10 days after your test date
    • Positive and you display signs or symptoms: you must remain in isolation until all 3 criteria are met:
    1. It’s been 10 days since onset of your symptoms and
    2. You have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications and
    3. Your symptoms are improving and not getting worse.

    Updated September 15, 2020

    Authoritative Source: Health Services

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Using Health Services

You can help yourself and your campus community by doing the following:

  • Do not come to Health Services without an appointment
  • Attend scheduled appointments alone, wearing your face covering
  • Arrive at your scheduled time to avoid contact with other patients
  • Set up voicemail on your smartphone. Make sure your voicemail box is not full, and check your messages throughout the day. If you are determined to be a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracers will need to reach you
  • E-mail, mail or fax forms to our office 
    • Fax is the best option for submitting forms   

Immunization Records

We are aware that incoming students may have difficulty obtaining immunization records with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Rest assured that you still have plenty of time to obtain and submit your records to us as Fall 2020 classes do not begin until August 31, 2020.

To make things as easy as possible for our students, we will accept records via mail, fax, or email. Here are some ways you may be able to obtain a copy of your records:

Sources

  • Your current or previous healthcare providers - Don't forget vaccines received at local public health departments. Many medical practices have an online portal you can use to print a copy of your immunizations. Call your doctor's office to find out how to best access your immunization records. 
  • Schools/Colleges/Previous employers/Military - You can contact your high school or health services at your previous college to see if they have a copy of your records. Many colleges have an online portal you can use to access a digital copy of your records. 
  • State immunization registries - For NY state residents, you can call (518) 473-2839 or email NYSIIS at nysiis@health.ny.gov to request a copy of your immunization history. For students not from NY state, call the CDC Information Contact Center at 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

Health Insurance Support

If you have any questions regarding health insurance or need to make a payment, please email our office. A payment link will be sent in the reply email for any payments. 

The SUNY International Student Health Insurance Program with UHC offers comprehensive coverage for those students that need COVID-19 testing or contract the virus.

COVID-19 FAQ for Students with UB Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan

COVID-19 Resources

Managing COVID-19 Anxiety

Counseling Services is here to help with the following tips to help you manage your anxiety.

Tips for Managing COVID-19 Anxiety
Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation

Quick Links

Mindfulness Library is FREE for everyone!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAO has decided to make our Mindfulness Library free for everyone. Please feel free to share with family, friends, or anyone else who might benefit from enhancing their mindfulness practice.

All exercises are available in both English and French: https://www.taoconnect.org/mindfulness-exercise/

Free NYS Mental Health Crisis Line Available

There is now a free mental health crisis line for residents of New York State. A person can schedule a FREE appointment with a mental health professional by calling 1-844-863-9314.

Campus Updates

Latest on coronavirus
See All Updates

Authoritative Sources

COVID-19 Hotline

The Erie County Department of Health has created a hotline for COVID-19 related calls: 716-858-2929

Health Services

Student Life

University at Buffalo
Michael Hall, 3435 Main Street, South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 829-3316; Fax: (716) 829-2564