Though the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, students may still feel the need to protect themselves. If you feel like you may be positive for COVID-19 or have Flu-like symptoms, you should stay home, test, and seek medical attention if necessary.
As the virus declines, so does policy regarding it one campus.
Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) no longer holds on site PCR testing, however, if you feel like you need to take a COVID-19 test you can pick up a free at-home test kit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Student Health and Wellness, Office of the Dean of Students Room 306.
Meagan Morales is a Junior at TAMUK and recently transferred from Coastal Bend College.
“Yes, I know where to access the COVID-19 tests. It’s very useful information to know, that way if I ever feel like I need to test, I can go grab one,” Morales said.
If a student needs an emergency testing kit, they can pick one up from the University Police Department in Lewis Hall.
Staff who may need a testing kit can pick it up at the Office of Employee services; however, kits are limited, and this will be available first come first serve.
Alex Gonzalez, a senior at TAMUK, believes that the University is doing what they can to make sure students stay safe.
“I think by making sure students report their positive tests and isolate, that definitely helps stop the spread and makes me feel more comfortable about the spread on campus,” Gonzalez said.
The University is advising that people who test positive stay home and isolate for 5 days, after the fifth day they can continue with work and or school wearing a face mask until day 10 after testing positive.
“Students need to report their COVID positive results so that we can implement our COVID protocols, including isolation (remaining away from campus/classes, per CDC guidelines) and facilitate the notice of absence process that will allow students to make up work they miss,” Dean of Students Kristen Compary said.
Students who test positive should inform Dean Compary and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, to report their positive test via email at Kirsten.Compary@tamuk.edu.
Staff who test positive should reach out to Jessica Chapa in the Office of Employee Services via email at Jessica.Chapa@tamuk.edu.