COVID-19 Resources

Last update: 10/20/2021 @ 1:43 p.m.

All Washington residents age 12 and up are now eligible to be vaccinated at no cost.
Appointments available at UW Medicine and many other providers. Learn more.

UW personnel and students: Verify your COVID-19 vaccination status.

Latest updates

This autumn, UW Tacoma will safely return to in-person instruction and activities.

• Face coverings are currently required indoors for everyone, including fully-vaccinated individuals.
• Non-instructional events and gatherings must follow applicable restrictions from the state and University, including limits on attendees based on whether the event is indoors or outdoors.
• If you are sick with any illness, you must stay home, even if you’ve been fully vaccinated.

The University of Washington's coronavirus webpage is also updated frequently as new information is available.

UW Tacoma campus buildings are currently closed to public access; you Husky Card is required to access most doors. While many physical offices remain closed, services are available by phone, email or online. See "Accessing campus services remotely" for details.

COVID-19 vaccine

UW Medicine has developed a guide to the COVID-19 vaccine and answers to common questions. At this time the vaccine is available to anyone 12 years of age or older at no cost. Appointments available at UW Medicine and many other providers.

In order to protect the health and safety of our community, the University of Washington is requiring all students and personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with certain exemptions allowed. You will need to verify that you’ve been vaccinated or declare an exemption:

• As soon as possible after the second dose of a 2-dose series or after a 1-dose vaccine, after they have decided to declare an exception, or by the start of autumn quarter on September 29, 2021, whichever date is earliest.
• Students who are unable to get vaccinated until after arriving on campus may submit their form by November 5, 2021. If you haven’t been able to get a vaccine where you live, we will have vaccinations available when you arrive. 
• A hold will be placed on winter quarter registrations if your form has not been submitted by November 5, 2021.

• Learn more about Autumn Quarter

COVID-19 Testing

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Mobile Testing

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's mobile testing labs offer free COVID-19 testing for anyone.

Husky Coronavirus Testing

We will soon be offering self-administered tests through the Husky Coronavirus Testing program, powered by the Seattle Flu Study – the group that was the first to report community spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Enrollment is encouraged for all students, faculty and staff who will be on campus regularly. Kits are available at the University Y Student Center (see sidebar for hours).

When should you report a case?

UW Environmental Health & Safety, in coordination with local and state public health agencies, responds to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UW community and takes action to prevent further transmission.

The public health response activities include a case interview, risk assessment, providing guidance for self-isolation, notifications to those impacted and contact tracing.

To help you determine when and how to report, view the graphic When Do You Report?

For more details about UW’s reporting requirements, see COVID-19 Case Response.