COVID-19 Checkup

September 17, 2020

SHSU Community,

At his press conference held today, Governor Abbott reminded Texans that the best defense against COVID-19 is personal vigilance. This includes staying home if you are sick, practicing social distancing, wearing a face covering and sanitizing your hands. We are grateful for your attentiveness to those  same university policies that are helping Sam Houston State be a safer campus community for faculty, staff and students. According to the governor, metrics show the State of Texas is heading in the right direction with decreased numbers of positive cases and hospitalizations. However, the virus is still here and it is imperative that all Bearkats continue to follow our health and safety guidelines as we strive to complete the fall semester.

COVID-19 Updates

Dashboard Updates

Sam Houston State University’s COVID-19 case dashboard will be updated daily by 4:30 p.m., CST, Monday through Friday. These case numbers include positive tests identified through COVID testing at the Student Health Center and students/employees self-reporting their positive results obtained through a private, offsite provider. Daily case numbers for the greater community are also available at Walker County. 

Free COVID Testing for Students

Beginning the week of September 21, all COVID-19 testing on campus will be free of charge for students.

The SHC will continue to provide symptomatic and exposure testing for students Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students should call the SHC to make an appointment.

Additionally, the university will partner with Huntsville Memorial Hospital (HMH) for COVID-19 testing for students every Tuesday, beginning September 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The HMH drive-up/walk-up testing site will be located outside, at the back entrance to the SHC. Students should pre-register and bring their Sam ID to the test.

The HMH partnership is being funded through Walker County CARES Act funds and while this is reserved for those living in Walker County, the county has agreed to allow for all students to claim temporary residency for the ability to access this testing.

Proof of Testing Protocol Changes for Students and Faculty

Students experiencing COVID-like symptoms or medically advised to isolate or quarantine must personally notify their instructors of their physical absence and need to participate remotely, if this option is available, for the period they will be away from campus. However, students are no longer required to provide written documentation to quarantine, isolate, or to return to class. 

Once faculty receive notification of a student absence, they should best accommodate the student’s education until the student returns to class (acknowledging that the specific dates of return may vary depending on exposure and symptoms). Students who miss class due to COVID-related absences can also contact the Academic Success Center for support services and resources.

COVID-related absences are considered excused absences.

COVID Q&A

Wear a face covering? Social distance? Do I need to Do both?

Yes! Remember, a mask is not a substitute for social distancing. Data shows that a distance of six feet or more significantly decreases the spread of the coronavirus from one person to another.

COVID-19 Resources

Resources

Since COVID-19 information seems to change on a daily basis, please refer to official university sources for the most accurate information. For the most current information, visit the Restart 2020 website daily.

COVID-19 Work Group