Coronavirus Update

• COVID-19 Hotline for students, faculty and staff to ask questions, assess symptoms, provide health advice and testing recommendations 210-450-8000
• Continuous self-monitoring in effect for everyone regardless of travel
• Self-isolation will be required for returning travelers from the following locations: (7 days after your symptoms began AND you have been fever-free for 72 consecutive hours)
  • • Cruise ships
    • U.S. locations including: Seattle/King County, WA; New York; Santa Clara County, CA
    • CDC Level 3 areas (Most countries in Europe, China, Iran, South Korea, Malaysia)
    • Specific questions on self-isolation can be directed to COVID-19@uthscsa.edu.
• Guidance for healthcare professionals self-monitoring and work restriction in the presence of community transmission of COVID 19 can be found on the Clinical Continuity section of this site
• If you are sick, stay at home. If you have new onset of any of the following symptoms, you MUST stay at home and immediately notify your supervisor.
  • • Fever (subjective or temperature of greater than 100.0 ͦ F)
    • Cough; Shortness of breath
    • Sore throat
    • Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting
    • Muscle aches
    • Malaise (feeling tired or run down)
• All UT Health San Antonio employees who have had a positive COVID 19 test are required to have a physical examination by a Wellness 360 healthcare provider or their primary healthcare provider before returning to work. Written documentation of the visit is required.  Employees must make an appointment with Wellness 360 to discuss by calling 210-567-2788, option 1.

UT Health San Antonio is actively monitoring the outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (termed “COVID-19”) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The virus has rapidly spread to several countries, including the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). Our team is also monitoring the COVID-19 situation worldwide and locally, and we will take action if needed.  We rely on information provided by the CDC, WHO, the U.S. State Department, state and local health departments, and on-campus public health experts to guide decisions concerning our operations and maintain a safe environment for our employees, students and residents.

University officials are in ​regular communication with county and state health officials and will share additional information on this web page as it becomes available.  There is a daily safety briefing held with a multidisciplinary team that includes infectious disease faculty and physicians. New information will be added to this site accordingly.

Most importantly, please follow the precautions issued by the CDC​ and the advice of their program providers regarding health and safety measures.

View all timely updates

For all travel, self-monitor for symptoms for 14-days upon return from travel using this symptom monitoring log.

To ensure the safety and security of UT Health San Antonio students, faculty, staff and patients, the following measures are being taken and guidelines offered.

• University-sponsored international travel is suspended until further notice. This includes visitors travel to the campus.
• A leadership planning committee has been convened to include team members from Infectious Disease, Emergency Response, Risk Management, Employee Health, Academic, Faculty & Student Affairs, Human Resources and other administrative areas to actively monitor developments and coordinate campus resources, responses and communications.
• Daily safety briefings with a multidisciplinary committee specifically to discuss coronavirus action planning; communication to the university community as needed.
• Individuals visiting the university are being screened during their appointments for recent international travel and will be asked about their health and travel history.
• Additional phone screening will soon occur with all patients of UT Health Physicians prior to appointments.
• Flu activity is high in the U.S. and is expected to continue for weeks. Our clinical sites are performing tests to confirm influenza. Anyone who has not received a flu vaccine this season should be vaccinated. Find more information about flu shots from UT Health San Antonio Physicians. Crews will be increasing the cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and restrooms in university buildings. On the recommendation of our university health providers, we ask that anyone who is ill or thinks they may be ill to stay home from class and work and seek medical care and advice, as necessary.
• Faculty are being provided guidance on ways to accommodate students who may need to temporarily complete assignments remotely. Coronavirus testing will be done following CDC and local and state health department recommendations.
• International travel guidelines change frequently. Please find the latest CDC information for travelers here. Questions? Contact Dr. Michael Charlton, Environmental Health & Safety, at 210-567-2955, or Dr. Jacqueline Mok, Academic, Faculty & Student Affairs at 210-567-2004

General Questions

covid-19@uthscsa.edu

University-Sponsored Student International Travel

Office of International Services
Julie Wilbers, Director
210-567-6241
OISTravelRegistry@uthscsa.edu

University-Sponsored Student Domestic Travel

Speak with your School Student Affairs Deans or contact:
Jacqueline Mok, Vice President, Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs
210-567-2004
mok@uthscsa.edu

University-Sponsored Faculty Travel

Environmental Health & Safety
Michael Charlton, Asst. AVP
210-567-2955
Charlton@uthscsa.edu

University-Sponsored Staff Travel

Environmental Health & Safety
Michael Charlton, Asst. AVP
210-567-2955
Charlton@uthscsa.edu

International Visitors

Office of International Services
Julie Wilbers, Director
210-567-6241
OISTravelRegistry@uthscsa.edu

United Way’s 2-1-1 Help Line

U.S. Texas Health & Human Services encourages all Texans in need of COVID-19 referrals to community resources to call the 2-1-1 Texas hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including information on local community resources such as financial assistance for utilities or rent, food pantries, housing assistance, crisis counseling, utility payment assistance and senior services. Select “option 6” to get information or referrals to include testing, community clinics, unemployment benefits and more. 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905.

Paid Leave

hr-leaveadmin@uthscsa.edu

Working Remotely

UT Health San Antonio toolkit for working from home

What You Should Know

Coronavirus overview from the CDC

For Healthcare Professionals

Guidance for healthcare professionals from the CDC

14-Day Symptom Monitoring Log

Downloadable log for faculty, staff, students and residents

Q: If I find myself in a 14-day self-isolation because I have been exposed to COVID-19, what are recommendations to protect my family members?
As the number of self-isolation cases increase, UT Health San Antonio is following the CDC’s recommendation for preventing the spread of COVID-19, specifically while in 14-day isolation. View the full list of steps that should be taken if you are self-isolating or living with someone who is sick with COVID-19.

Q: What can I do to stay healthy?
It is critical that we all practice good hygiene and social distancing. Most importantly, stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. You can always visit the CDC website for robust and up-to-date information. Information will also be continuously updated on this site and you can always submit a question to covid-19@uthscsa.edu. Our highest priority is to sustain the health of our community, employees and students.

Q: What to do if you get sick?

If you get sick with fever (100.0°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:

• Seek medical care. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
• Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.

If you need to seek medical care for other reasons, such as dialysis, call ahead to your doctor and tell them about your recent travel to an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.