Texas State University COVID-19 Medical Update

Emilio Carranco, M.D., M.S., Chief Medical Officer and Director, Student Health Center | March 18, 2020

Email sent to students, faculty and staff

Dear Texas State Community,

COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States but there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Texas State campuses at this time. The university has implemented a variety of measures to decrease the risk of exposure to our community. International and domestic travel have been restricted. We have increased infection control. We are implementing social distancing. We are sharing information about prevention, proper self-isolation, and safely seeking medical care. Slowing the spread of COVID-19 requires that we all do our part by staying home if sick, practicing social distancing and following the instructions of our healthcare providers.

Travel is a significant concern, especially as spring break ends. I want to remind our campus community about the following travel policies:

Persons returning from countries with a CDC Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice are required to self-isolate for 14 days before coming to a Texas State campus. International travelers should send an email to healthcenter@txstate.edu with information about travel destination(s) and dates of travel so that we can monitor your health and provide you with medical documentation.
Persons traveling within the United States, especially to areas with community transmission such as Washington, California and New York state, should self-monitor and social distance for 14 days. Temperature should be checked in the morning and afternoon daily. Signs of illness such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should be assessed daily. Social distancing should be practiced by avoiding crowds and maintaining some distance with others while at home or work as much as possible. If an illness develops during the self-monitoring period, stay home and consult with your healthcare provider by phone.

The Student Health Center is introducing Telehealth services to increase access to healthcare and to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to our patients and staff. All patients requesting an appointment for evaluation of a respiratory illness will have a Telehealth visit with a medical provider first. The medical provider may be able to provide care and treatment without a personal visit or may determine that the patient needs to come to the Health Center for further evaluation and testing. COVID-19 testing is still limited and can only be conducted if criteria are met for testing. Faculty, staff and students are eligible for COVID-19 testing if within the last 14 days they had: 1) direct contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or 2) recent international or domestic travel to an area with community transmission of COVID-19 and develop fever (> 100°F), cough and shortness of breath. To request an appointment, call the Student Health Center at 512-245-2161. For more information about COVID-19, check the CDC website at Coronavirus 2019 .

We have a significant challenge ahead of us and many are understandably concerned. Let’s turn that concern into action. Let’s look out for each other and do our part!

Emilio Carranco, M.D., M.S.

Chief Medical Officer and Director, Student Health Center