COVID-19

Updated: July 7, 2020

COVID-19
Frequently asked questions related to screening and testing for COVID-19 such as: Who should I contact if I think I need to be tested for COVID-19? What should I do if I test positive? What should I do if I test negative?

Screening and Testing for COVID-19

Students

Updated: July 22, 2020

  • Who should I contact if I think I need to be tested for COVID-19?

    Students who become symptomatic should follow these steps:

    Call Student Health for a free phone screening.

    • Edinburg: (956) 665-2511
    • Brownsville: (956) 882-3896

    If your call is not answered, proceed to fill out the UT Health RGV COVID-19 Phone Screening Request Form. Based on the phone screening results, you will either be told to quarantine, isolate, or make an appointment to go to UT Health RGV Student Health to get tested.

  • What do I do if my phone/online screening determines I need to be tested for COVID-19?

    If you are determined to need a test:

    1. Go to the designated Student Health site, call the site when you arrive, and remain in your vehicle. A test will be administered in the parking lot at Student Health.
    2. Return home and self-isolate until your test results are confirmed.
    3. Register for the Student Health Portal to get the latest updates and lab results.

  • How long will it take for me to receive results if I am tested for COVID-19?

    Student patients who get tested for COVID-19 at one of our testing sites (including Student Health) will have results sent to their Student Health Portal account within 1-2 business days. The timeline of results depends on the current testing volume requests/demand, etc. UT Health RGV will only call patients who test positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). If you do not hear from UT Health RGV within 1-2 business days, please check the Student Health Portal to confirm if your results are logged and if they are negative.

  • What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

    If you test positive for the virus:

    • You must continue isolation. 
    • You will get a call from the UT Health RGV clinical team confirming your positive results.
    • Contact your Primary Care Provider immediately for continued care.
    • You might be contacted by the State Department to identify any contacts you have had. 
    • If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, etc. go directly to the Emergency Room.

    Any individual testing positive must self-isolate and will not be permitted to return to in-person activities until are cleared for return by UT Health RGV personnel.

  • What should I do if I test negative for COVID-19?

    If you test negative for the virus:

    • Guidance will be provided by UT Health RGV personnel based on circumstances.
    • Contact your Primary Care Provider for continued care, especially if any symptoms arise.

  • What should I do if I am a Healthcare Student (medical, nursing, social work, rehab, PA, etc.)?

    • You may be required to get tested even if you do not show symptoms.
    • You will need to contact your school or department and follow their respective process.
    • You will fill out a form, which will be sent to the Call Center (1-833-UTRGVMD)
    • You will be contacted by phone and provided an appointment time to get tested at one of the four UT Health RGV COVID-19 Testing Drive-Thru sites.


Faculty

Updated: July 22, 2020

  • What should I do if I have symptoms, tested for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19?

    Updated 07/22/2020

    Employees should follow these steps

    • Do not access any UTRGV campus/off campus facilities.
    • Communicate with your supervisor.
    • Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
      • Do not call Employee Health for COVID-19 appointments.
      • Your completed Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form will be sent to and reviewed by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.
      • Based on the results, you will be contacted to determine the appropriate plan of action and told to either quarantine, isolate, get tested, or return to work.
      • Employees may not return to work until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

  • What do I do if my online preliminary screening determines I need to be tested for COVID-19?

    Updated 07/14/2020

    If the preliminary screening determines that you need to be tested:

    1. Your information will be reviewed, and a member of the COVID-19 Response Team will reach out to you to provide further guidance.
    2. Employees may not return to work until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

  • What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

    Updated 07/22/2020

    If you test positive for the virus:

    • You must continue isolation. 
    • You will get a call from the UT Health RGV clinical team confirming your positive results.
    • Contact your Primary Care Provider immediately for continued care.
    • You might be contacted by the State Department to identify any contacts you have had. 
    • If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, etc. go directly to the Emergency Room.

    Any individual testing positive must self-isolate and will not be permitted to return to in-person activities until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

  • What should I do if I test negative for COVID-19?

    Updated 07/22/2020

    If you test negative for the virus:

    • Guidance will be provided by UT Health RGV personnel based on circumstances.
    • Contact your Primary Care Provider for continued care, especially if any symptoms arise.


Staff

Updated: July 22, 2020

  • What should I do if I have symptoms, tested for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19?

    Updated 07/22/2020

    Employees should follow these steps:

    • Do not access any UTRGV campus/off campus facilities.
    • Communicate with your supervisor.
    • Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
      • Do not call Employee Health for COVID-19 appointments.
      • Your completed Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form will be sent to and reviewed by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.
      • Based on the results, you will be contacted to determine the appropriate plan of action and told to either quarantine, isolate, get tested, or return to work.
      • Employees may not return to work until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

  • What do I do if my online preliminary screening determines I need to be tested for COVID-19?

    Updated 07/14/2020

    If the preliminary screening determines that you need to be tested:

    1. Your information will be reviewed, and a member of the COVID-19 Response Team will reach out to you to provide further guidance.
    2. Employees may not return to work until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

  • What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

    Updated 07/22/2020

    If you test positive for the virus:

    • You must continue isolation. 
    • You will get a call from the UT Health RGV clinical team confirming your positive results.
    • Contact your Primary Care Provider immediately for continued care.
    • You might be contacted by the State Department to identify any contacts you have had. 
    • If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, etc. go directly to the Emergency Room.

    Any individual testing positive must self-isolate and will not be permitted to return to in-person activities until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

  • What should I do if I test negative for COVID-19?

    Updated 07/22/2020

    If you test negative for the virus:

    • Guidence will be provided by UT Health RGV personel based on circumstances.
    • Contact your Primary Care Provider for continued care, especially if any symptoms arise.