Texas A&M University-Kingsville COVID-19 precautions have led to a campus testing positivity rate of 4.8 percent as of Monday, Feb. 22. TAMUK’s COVID- 19 policies and virtual learning format have protected many students and high-risk students from contracting and spreading the virus, officials said.
“We have had a few surges in case numbers,” Dean of Students Kirsten Compary said.
Since Aug. 14, 2020 TAMUK has tested 3,032 at its on-campus testing center. Of the over 3,000 on campus tested, 145 have been positive.
Students experiencing symptoms are encouraged to notify Compary at Kirsten.Compary@tamuk.edu and sign up to be tested.
“They can sign up at https://www.tamuk.edu/return/testing.html,” Compary said.
Tests are by appointment only at the Student Health and Wellness Center as well as different announced locations on campus. (Check your student email for notices of different testing sites on campus.)
“I contact students as soon as possible after contact if they are identified by the COVID-19 positive person,” Compary said.
Students taking in-person classes must scan a QR code when entering a classroom or sign in with their student email.
“The QR code system allows me to notify an entire class who was present if a student is determined to be infectious while they attended a face-to-face course,” she said.
QR codes can be found all around campus and not only classrooms. Students are encouraged to check in using QR codes around campus to know if they were ever exposed to a COVID positive person.
“It does not mean that contact was close during the class, but rather it means that they have a potential exposure, and they should monitor for symptom development,” Compary said. “If symptoms do appear, they should immediately take steps to quarantine and arrange to be tested.”
During the week of Feb. 14, six students who visited campus 48 hours prior tested positive.
“The Kingsville community has relative low numbers in comparison to other communities,” Director of Student Health & Wellness Jo Elda Castillo-Alaniz said.
Alaniz credits the work of students and staff on campus for doing their part in taking COVID-19 precaution.
“Often the COVID-19 positive person has already notified those with whom they have had close contact,” Compary said. “The time of that notification from time of exposure is solely dependent on when the COVID-19 positive was infectious and exposing others to when they have tested positive and notified my office.”
Students attending classes in person at the university do not have to be solely tested at the university clinic, but they must report positive results if they have been on campus 48 hours prior to receiving a positive test result.
“COVID-19 positive students may isolate (if positive) or quarantine (if a close exposure) at Turner/Bishop Hall on campus, or at an off-campus location of their choice where it is safe to do so,” Compary continued.
COVID-19 has impacted students mental health, learning ability and ability to connect with others. Students struggling are encouraged to get help from on campus resources that continue to remain open during the pandemic.
“In March 2020, Student Health and Wellness (SHW) was identified as critical and essential staff and remained committed to the students health and safety as well as their own,” Elda said. “The departments’ four units: Health Care Clinic, Counseling Services, Disability Resource Center and Wellness Program implemented safety measures while keeping in mind the quality of the students experience and upholding state/local health mandates.”
For more information about SHW and their offered programs students can visit https://www.tamuk.edu/shw/
“I am proud of the work that my staff has accomplished as well as their steadfast commitment and passion to serve the students to the best of their ability,” Elda said.
As the university adapts and finds ways to improve upon COVID guidelines, students must be vigilant and do their job by signing into campus with QR codes and reporting symptoms.
“COVID-19 continues to impact all of our daily lives through all of the methods the University is undertaking to keep our community safe,” Compary said said.
COVID-19 numbers are updated every Monday at 3 p.m. on TAMUK’s COVID Dashboard. For more insight to the universities COVID-19 numbers visit https://www.tamuk.edu/coronavirus/dashboard.html.
