COVID cases continue to rise on campus
COVID-19 cases are rising this spring semester with an 18.1 percent positivity rate from the total number tested. As of Jan. 24, there are 202 positive active cases on campus.
Upon the return from the winter break in early January, students, faculty and staff received an email regarding the semester required COVID-19 testing, regardless of vaccination status. On campus testing began Jan. 3 with a deadline to test by Jan. 28.
“Students who test positive should take steps to immediately self-isolate,” Dean of Students Dr. Kirsten Compary said.
Out of the 5,375 tested between Jan. 3 and Jan. 24., 974 tests came back positive, resulting in a positivity rate of 18.1 percent, which is notably higher compared to UTSA’s 11 percent and TAMIU’s 9.9 percent reported.
Students living off campus will be able to self-quarantine at their place of residency or another location of their choice while on-campus students can choose to either isolate at Turner/Bishop Hall or off-campus.
“We do not require all students who test positive to stay in Turner/Bishop. It is available to any student who lives on-campus who tests positive, as well as those who live off-campus if they cannot safely isolate where they live or at another location,” Compary said.
TAMUK provides private rooms for quarantined students and delivers meals to them, as well as having staff available for any concerns regarding COVID-19.
“I think the university is doing well with the resources they provide for students, such as offering testing sites here on campus, a place to quarantine if needed and being able to keep your results private by using email,” senior biology major Lauren Gallegos said.
The university has the capability to administer about 50 antigen tests a day for students, faculty and staff who have previously tested positive, and who show no symptoms at least six days after a positive test result.
The antigen tests are used as clearance of isolation while the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are the primary mode for normal on-campus testing.
For the month of January according to John’s Hopkins, Texas has an average positive test rate of 33.4 percent, leaving TAMUK’s monthly average significantly lower than the state’s.
Depending on vaccination status, there are different protocols for those who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Those unvaccinated or who have received their second dose more than six months ago and have not received their booster should stay home for five days to quarantine and after five days may return to campus if they continue to wear a mask for at least five more days or choose to full quarantine for 10 days.
Those who have received their booster can choose to wear a mask for 10 days to campus after exposure or full quarantine for 10 days. The university plans to continue to monitor public health conditions throughout the spring semester on campus. If conditions worsen, TAMUK may consider requiring additional testing throughout the semester.
“The university will also be implementing a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program this semester. Students and employees who voluntarily share their vaccine status and information are eligible to participate. Individuals who participate will get a free t-shirt and will also be entered to win prizes that include tablets, wireless earbuds and more,” Director of Marketing and Communications Adriana Garza said.
TAMUK strongly encourages everyone to wear a face mask while on-campus, consider getting vaccinated and practice good hygiene.
“We are committed to maintaining in-person learning in a safe environment. Many of our students prefer that format and do better in face-to-face classes,” Garza said.
The university will continue to monitor health conditions and ask everyone to do their part in preventing and slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“I personally don’t like online classes because it’s difficult to learn that way. I think moving online could be beneficial since we wouldn’t have to be around other people as much, but I do know a lot of other students who struggle with online classes,” Gallegos said.
All students who test positive, regardless of where they got tested, should email the Dean of Students (kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu) to report their positive test results and to receive additional information on isolation and options for early release with a negative antigen test on or after day six following a positive test.
The university will resume testing at the Student Health and Wellness trailer in the future.