COVID-19

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: September 8, 2020

If I am not enrolled in an in-person or hybrid course and therefore not attending any in-person classes, and I answer yes to any of the questions found on the current version of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questions, do I have to complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form?

All students, staff and faculty who answer yes to any of the questions found on the current version of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questionsmust complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. Completing the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form allows UTRGV to help each individual receive the proper guidance, care, and testing to protect themselves and those around them.

What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms; have been in contact with someone who has tested positive or who is currently begin tested; or have tested positive?

Please follow the UTRGV Employee/Student Self-Screening & Reporting Process. See below:

Self-Screening

Each day, prior to visiting any UTRGV campus/off-campus facilities, university students and employees must review and answer the current version of the UT Health RGV screening questions regarding COVID-19-related symptoms.

Do not access the campus/off-campus facilities if:

  • You answered yes to any of the screening questions.
  • You have been exposed (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) to someone who tested positive or who is currently being tested for COVID-19 in the prior 14 days.
  • You tested positive for COVID-19 and have not been officially released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

Reporting

Instead of accessing campus/off-campus facilities:

  • Communicate with your instructor/supervisor (If you are a student employee please communicate with both you instructor and supervisor.)
  • Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. You will receive an immediate email response from the COVID-19 team. A sample is below:
    Response sample.
  • The COVID-19 Response Team is responsible for identifying and contacting others who may have been at risk.
  • Students or employees may not return to UTRGV premises until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 response team.

If you develop symptoms or start to feel unwell while on campus, follow the same process:

  • Leave campus/work immediately.
  • Contact your instructor/supervisor so arrangements can be made with you to complete your academic requirements/work assignments.
  • Fill out the Screening Form.
  • Wait for instructions from the COVID-19 Response Team

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

Students should follow these steps:

  • Do not access any UTRGV campus/off campus facilities.
  • Communicate with your professors, program or clerkship directors.
  • Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
    • Do not call Student 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 UTRGV premises.
    • Students may not return to UTRGV premises until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 response team.

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

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. Students may not return to UTRGV premises until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 response team.

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

If you test positive for the virus:

  • You must continue isolation. 
  • If you have not done so, fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
  • You will receive a call from the UTRGV COVID-19 Response Team who will investigate the case and identify any close contacts.
  • Contact your Primary Care Provider immediately for continued care.
  • 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 09/22/2020

If you test negative for the virus:

  •  Email a copy of the testing results to the COVID-19 Response Team.
  • Wait for an “Official Release to Campus Notification” email from the COVID-19 Response Team.
  • 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.

What does “close contact” mean when social distancing?

Added: September 8, 2020

Close contact means that a person has been within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more of anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days. The CDC recommends avoiding close contact with others to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by properly wearing a face covering and keeping 6-feet distancing from other people at all times.



Faculty

Updated: September 22, 2020

If I am not teaching an in-person or hybrid course and therefore not working on-campus, and I answer yes to any of the questions found on the current version of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questions, do I have to complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form?

All students, staff and faculty who answer yes to any of the questions found on the current version of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questions must complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. Completing the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form allows UTRGV to help each individual receive the proper guidance, care, and testing to protect themselves and those around them.

What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms; have been in contact with someone who has tested positive or who is currently been tested; or have tested positive?

Updated 09/01/2020

Please follow the UTRGV Employee/Student Self-Screening & Reporting Process. See below:

Self-Screening

Each day, prior to visiting any UTRGV campus/off-campus facilities, university students and employees must review and answer the current version of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questions regarding COVID-19-related symptoms.

Do not access the campus/off-campus facilities if:

  • You answered yes to any of the screening questions.
  • You have been exposed (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) to someone who tested positive or who is currently being tested for COVID-19 in the prior 14 days.
  • You tested positive for COVID-19 and have not been officially released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

Reporting

Instead of accessing campus/off-campus facilities:

  • Communicate with your instructor/supervisor (If you are a student employee please communicate with both you instructor and supervisor.)
  • Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. You will receive an immediate email response from the COVID-19 team. A sample is below:
    Response sample.
  • The COVID-19 Response Team is responsible for identifying and contacting others who may have been at risk.
  • Students or employees may not return to UTRGV premises until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 response team.

If you develop symptoms or start to feel unwell while on campus, follow the same process:

  • Leave campus/work immediately.
  • Contact your instructor/supervisor so arrangements can be made with you to complete your academic requirements/work assignments.
  • Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
  • Wait for instructions from the COVID-19 Response Team

What should instructors/supervisors do if a student/employee informs you that they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or tested positive for the COVID-19?

Please follow this process:

  • First and foremost, due to federal privacy laws, you may not disclose to anyone the medical information that has been shared with you by the student/employee.
  • Instead, please direct them to the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. There is one form for both employees and students.
  • After the form is completed, a member of the COVID-19 Response Team will reach out to the affected student/employee to obtain more information and provide further guidance.
  • The COVID-19 Response Team is responsible for identifying and contacting others who may be at risk.
  • Students/employees may not return to UTRGV premises until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 response team.
  • Lastly, instructors/supervisors should make arrangements to help the student/employee complete their academic requirements/work assignments until a student is cleared to return.

What do I do if my UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questions determines I need to be tested for COVID-19?

Updated 07/14/2020

If you answered "Yes" to any of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screeing Questions:

  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 09/22/2020

If you test positive for the virus:

  • You must continue isolation. 
  • If you have not done so, fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
  • You will receive a call from the UTRGV COVID-19 Response Team who will investigate the case and identify any close contacts.
  • Contact your Primary Care Provider immediately for continued care.
  • 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 09/22/2020

If you test negative for the virus:

  •  Email a copy of the testing results to the COVID-19 Response Team.
  • Wait for an “Official Release to Campus Notification” email from the Covid Response Team.
  • Contact your Primary Care Provider for continued care, especially if any symptoms arise.

What does "close contact" mean when social distancing?

Updated: 09/08/2020

Close contact means that a person has been within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more of anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days. The CDC recommends avoiding close contact with others to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by properly wearing a face covering and keeping 6-feet distancing from other people at all times.



Staff

Updated: September 22, 2020

If I am working remotely and therefore not working on-campus, and I answer yes to any of the questions found on the current version of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questions, do I have to complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form?

All students, staff and faculty who answer yes to any of the questions found on the current version of the UT Health RGV Daily Self-Screening Questionsmust complete the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. Completing the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form allows UTRGV to help each individual receive the proper guidance, care, and testing to protect themselves and those around them.

What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms; have been in contact with someone who has tested positive or who is currently begin tested; or have tested positive?

Added 08/24/2020

Please follow the UTRGV Employee/Student Self-Screening & Reporting Process. See below:

Self-Screening

Each day, prior to visiting any UTRGV campus/off-campus facilities, university students and employees must review and answer the current version of the UT Health RGV screening questions regarding COVID-19-related symptoms.

Do not access the campus/off-campus facilities if:

  • You answered yes to any of the screening questions.
  • You have been exposed (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) to someone who tested positive or who is currently being tested for COVID-19 in the prior 14 days.
  • You tested positive for COVID-19 and have not been officially released by a member of the COVID-19 Response Team.

Reporting

Instead of accessing campus/off-campus facilities:

  • Communicate with your instructor/supervisor (If you are a student employee please communicate with both you instructor and supervisor.)
  • Fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. You will receive an immediate email response from the COVID-19 team. A sample is below:
    Response sample.
  • The COVID-19 Response Team is responsible for identifying and contacting others who may have been at risk.
  • Students or employees may not return to UTRGV premises until they are released by a member of the COVID-19 response team.

If you develop symptoms or start to feel unwell while on campus, follow the same process:

  • Leave campus/work immediately.
  • Contact your instructor/supervisor so arrangements can be made with you to complete your academic requirements/work assignments.
  • Fill out the Screening Form.
  • Wait for instructions from the COVID-19 Response Team

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 09/22/2020

If you test positive for the virus:

  • You must continue isolation. 
  • If you have not done so, fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form.
  • You will receive a call from the UTRGV COVID-19 Response Team who will investigate the case and identify any close contacts.
  • Contact your Primary Care Provider immediately for continued care.
  • 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 09/22/2020

If you test negative for the virus:

  • Email a copy of the testing results to the COVID-19 Response Team.
  • Wait for an “Official Release to Campus Notification” email from the Covid Response Team.
  • Contact your Primary Care Provider for continued care, especially if any symptoms arise.

I am an instructor/supervisor and my student/employee tells me that they have COVID-19 Symptoms, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or tested positive for the COVID-19. What should I do?

Added 08/24/2020

Tell the student/employee to fill out the Preliminary COVID-19 Screening Form. You should make arrangements to help the student/employee complete their academic requirements/work assignments. A member of the COVID-19 Response Team is responsible for identifying and contacting others who may have been at risk.

What does “close contact” mean when social distancing?

Added: September 8, 2020

Close contact means that a person has been within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more of anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days. The CDC recommends avoiding close contact with others to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by properly wearing a face covering and keeping 6-feet distancing from other people at all times.