COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing

Take Action to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
As part of the Loyola University New Orleans community, we are all committed to acting for and with others to help keep our campus safe, healthy, and informed. That's the Wolf Pack way. If you test positive for COVID-19, it is important that you stay home and take action to prevent the spread of the virus.
Please review the health policies and procedures we’ve created below based on the latest guidance from local, state, and public health officials. Any differences in requirements for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated are indicated explicitly in the content.
If you feel sick, please stay home and seek medical care (see the next section for detailed instructions).
Common symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you’re showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
If you’re feeling sick, the trained medical staff at Student Health Services and our partners at Ochsner Health are here to help you! The Student Health Services staff includes trained Registered Nurses (RN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) who can offer guidance.
Students who are feeling symptoms of COVID-19 should call Student Health Services (SHS) at 504.865.3326, available Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. To help create a safe environment for everyone on campus, no one will be permitted into the Student Health Clinic without an appointment. No walk-ins allowed.
The Ochsner Anywhere Care app also provides 24/7 access to virtual urgent care services via your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Urgent care visits are free of charge for Loyola students, faculty, and staff with the following codes: LUSTUDENT, LUSTAFF, and LUFACULTY
Testing is available by appointment at the Student Health Clinic to students, faculty, and staff who are feeling symptoms of COVID-19 or have been notified of exposure. There are also many testing options available across the city at local urgent care facilities and community testing sites. Use the resources below to find a testing site convenient for you, and make sure you check with the location to determine if an appointment is required.
Recommended COVID-19 Testing Locations
Testing Site | Address | Hours | Appointment Instructions |
---|---|---|---|
Loyola Student Health Clinic | Inside the Danna Student Center on campus | Mon – Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Yes, call 504.865.3326 |
In and Out Urgent Care |
6225 S Claiborne Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125 |
Mon – Fri, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat – Sun, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Recommend that you call 504.864.8080 to complete a screening prior to arrival |
Ochsner Urgent Care |
4605 Magazine St. New Orleans, LA 7011 |
Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat – Sun, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
Schedule an urgent care arrival time online or through the MyOchsner portal or MyChart mobile app. |
Priscilla R. Edwards Head Start Center | 1962 Jackson Ave. | Appointments usually open the day before or day of | Schedule online |
Walgreens | 718 Maple and S. Carrollton | See website | Schedule online |
Walgreens | 2418 S. Carrollton Ave. | See website | Schedule online |
CVS | 4401 S. Claiborne Ave. | See website | Schedule online |
At-home COVID tests:
Take-home COVID-19 tests are available at most local pharmacies and online. The United States government is providing free at-home tests to all households.
Don’t forget to check the expiration date on your at-home test before using it. You might have a test at home that’s passed its expiration date, but if you call the company or check the FDA website, it may have been extended. Be sure to follow all test instructions and make sure the control line shows up quickly, which is an indicator that the test is still working.
Positive COVID-19 Test Result
If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, please email covid@loyno.edu for guidance. You can also see the CDC guidance for isolation: COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC.
Negative COVID-19 Test Result
If test results are negative, you should follow the recommendations of your health care provider.
SELF-MONITORING INSTRUCTIONS:
According to CDC guidelines and Loyola policy, those who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines or have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, and have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 should self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after the exposure.
Students should self monitor for symptoms, and wear a well-fitting mask for a full 10 days after an exposure: If you develop symptoms, isolate and test immediately. If symptoms persist, please test again, especially if using an at-home test. Get tested 5 days after exposure if you remain asymptomatic.
QUARANTINE INSTRUCTIONS:
According to CDC guidelines and Loyola policy, those who are not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines (including booster doses, when eligible), or are unvaccinated, and have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 need to self-quarantine.
Students must quarantine for 5 days after their exposure:
Mandated quarantine means avoiding close contact with others and limiting activities after known exposure to COVID-19. Please email covid@loyno.edu. Your professors will be informed you are excused from attending in-person class for 5 days. If you develop symptoms, test immediately. Get tested 5 days after exposure. If that test is negative and you remain asymptomatic, you can return to campus and classes. You must wear a well-fitting mask around others for a full 10 days following an exposure.
All Loyola community members, vaccinated and unvaccinated, are required to self-isolate following a positive test result. Report a positive COVID-19 test result by emailing covid@loyno.edu. Isolation means remaining in your home or residence with zero public contact due to a positive COVID-19 test, with or without active symptoms. The amount of time in isolation will depend on the length of illness, presence of symptoms, and health care provider’s guidance.
- Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from other household members, if possible
- Don’t share personal household items that can be contaminated, like cups, towels, and utensils
- Wear a mask in the home when around other people if able
Loyola follows the latest guidelines released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for isolation after a positive COVID-19 test result. View the CDC guidelines.
SHS staff will reach out to students in isolation daily to assess symptoms. Students must be cleared by SHS to leave isolation and return to campus.
Have questions about any of these policies? We are eager to help you find the answers you need to feel safe and informed on campus.
Student Health Services
Phone: 504.865.3326
Email: studenthealth@loyno.edu
Public Health
Phone: 504.865.3757
Email: covid@loyno.edu
Residential Life
Phone: 504.865.2445
Email: reslife@loyno.edu
Student Affairs
Phone: 504.865.3622
Email: studentaffairs@loyno.edu
Human Resources (Employees)
Phone: 504.864.7757
Email: hr@loyno.edu
Anonymous Reporting (Employees)
Use the Reportline, a toll-free number (855.312.9257) that you can call anytime from anywhere to anonymously report suspected unethical or inappropriate activity, e.g., fraud, waste, abuse, or violations of federal or state laws or Loyola New Orleans policy. Alternatively, you may enter reports anonymously online.