COVID-19 Checkup

November 5, 2020

SHSU Community,

With positive COVID cases rising, the university will maintain an active testing program to identify positive cases and ensure proper protocols are taken before the Thanksgiving break. Our staff continue to test symptomatic students at the Student Health Center and with the arrival of the Curative COVID-19 testing kiosk on campus this week, both symptomatic and asymptomatic students, faculty and staff can get a test with a result in approximately 48 hours or less. This testing is critical before the Thanksgiving break as students who may be asymptomatic carriers and don’t know it, will travel home to family. Know your status before you leave for Thanksgiving and sign up for a free test.

To make things even more confusing during COVID-19 is the flu. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Flu and COVID-19 can both result in serious illness, including illness resulting in hospitalization or death. It is now more important than ever to get your flu shot.

Where can I get tested or vaccinated before Thanksgiving?

FREE COVID-19 Testing Kiosk on Campus

This week, the university set up a COVID-19 testing kiosk in partnership with Curative to administer saliva-based-PCR tests* to students, faculty and staff. Results are provided in less than 48 hours. The kiosk is located outside the LSC and testing will be available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Although walk-up testing is available, you are encouraged to pre-register. As of today, 503 tests have been administered.

*Testing is not recommended for those who have had a positive test within the last 90 days.

FREE Drive Thru/Walk Up Flu Shot Event on Campus

The Student Health Center will hold its first drive thru flu shot event on Thursday, November 12 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. The vaccinations will be administered outside, at the back entrance to the clinic. Students do not need to pre-register, but must bring their Bearkat OneCard.

Vaccinefinder.org

Not close to campus? Search this CDC-recommended website to find another location near you.

COVID Q&A

Q: Why were there so many COVID cases on October 30? Is it linked to a specific event?
A: No. During October, there was an increase in testing when Huntsville Memorial Hospital was on campus. The increase can be attributed to receiving a large volume of results from HMH on that day. 

Q: If I take a test at the kiosk on campus, how will I receive my results?
A: You will receive your results via text message and email address that you provided during registration. The information will come directly from Curative.

Q: Will I receive my test results on the weekend?
A: Yes. The lab is processing test results seven days a week.

Q: If someone wants to test multiple times, do they need to register each time?
A: Yes. This allows Curative to verify the identity of the person taking the test.

COVID Conversations

Worried about taking a COVID-19 test at the campus testing kiosk? Watch this video to see how fast, simple and painless the testing is in this week’s COVID Conversations. The goal of COVID Conversations is to provide clarity on how our campus community is navigating the pandemic. We encourage faculty, staff and students to continue to submit their pandemic-related questions to COVID19@SHSU.edu.

COVID Updates

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are added to the university’s dashboard every Monday through Friday, at approximately 4:30 p.m. To see the current number of cases, visit Dashboard Updates.

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