COVID-19

Effective immediately, face coverings are no longer required on the University of Houston-Victoria campus or at UHV Katy per Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order 36. While UHV moves forward to make appropriate edits to its COVID-19 protocols, any protocol that requires face coverings at UHV or UHV Katy will no longer be enforced; however, all faculty, staff, students and visitors may continue to wear a face covering if they wish. UHV encourages all people who are not fully vaccinated to continue to wear face coverings in public settings in order to protect themselves and others who are not vaccinated.

Positive Cases

UHV will provide information about COVID-19 as developments occur. Information about positive cases in UHV community members is available and is updated every Monday.

Communications

The university remains in regular contact with local, state and federal health officials for the latest information and will continue to provide updates when warranted. Read the communications that have been shared with the UHV community.

Phased Reopening

At this time, UHV is in Phase 4 of a Phased Reopening Plan for the Victoria campus and UHV Katy. Classes currently are being offered several different ways: face to face with a real-time online (online – virtual) option, hybrid (online/hybrid – traditional) and traditional online (online asynchronous).

UHV will move to “normal” operations starting Monday, August 2. “Normal” operations, or Phase 5, means that UHV and UHV Katy will be fully operational with faculty and staff on campus, classes fully occupied and campus events taking place without restrictions. This means that UHV will be offering regular face-to-face classes in addition to the hybrid and fully online classes that the university offered before the pandemic. The university’s residence halls also will be occupied at regular capacity.

Fall classes will begin Aug. 23 with students arriving Aug. 19. UHV continues to monitor CDC guidelines, state mandates and community conditions to ensure everyone’s safety. The university’s goal is to return to campus in the safest manner possible.

Operations Center

The UHV COVID-19 Operations Center support university students, staff and faculty by advising, referring, monitoring, communicating, documenting, tracking and educating the campus community about COVID-19. The center conducts contact tracing on both the UHV campus in Victoria and at UHV Katy. It is headed up by Jessica Helms, a UHV alumna and a nurse practitioner at DeTar Medical Group.

Read more about the center, or contact the center at covidops@uhv.edu.

General Health, Wellness & Prevention Information

Below is some general information for the UHV community about COVID-19 and the precautions the university is taking.

Q: What precautions should members of the UHV community take?
A: All UHV community members should follow the preventive measures detailed in Prevention and What to Do if I’m Sick. Employees also should follow the preventive measures detailed in Workplace Prevention and the protocols in Return to Work on Campus.

Q: What is the university doing regarding bacterial and viral threats on campus?
A: To ensure the health and safety of students living in campus residential facilities and our faculty and staff working on campus, UHV facilities are maintained using aggressive sanitization and hygiene protocols. This includes increased custodial cleaning and the availability of hand sanitizer dispensers at all entrances, common areas and elevators.

Custodial staff is required to wipe highly touched surfaces, including handrails, push/pull door handles, drinking fountains, tables and other furniture continually touched during the day. The university has increased the frequency that restrooms and common areas are cleaned and disinfected. The university also is performing monthly application of a biocide on work surfaces.

Q: What do I do if I feel sick?
A: Consult your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. As with any illness, if you are experiencing a fever, do not return to work until 24 hours after you are fever-free. Employees are expected to follow procedures for sick leave in the university’s Leaves of Absence policy.

Q: What should I do if I have had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 or is suspected or presumed to have COVID-19?
A: Follow the protocol described in Potential Exposure to Coronavirus.

Q: What do I do if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
A: If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, do not come to UHV or UHV Katy, even if you are symptom-free. Follow the guidance in the Employee Diagnosis/Symptoms Protocols or the Student Diagnosis/Symptoms Protocols.

Q: When can I return to campus if I have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been instructed to self-quarantine?
A: Written approval is required before any UHV community member may return to campus after self-quarantine. The timing of your return depends on whether you have exhibited coronavirus symptoms. See Completion of Self-Quarantine/Isolation for the process and considerations for determining when a return to campus is allowed.

Q: What student health and wellness services will be available to students in fall 2021?
A: UHV has a partnership with the Community Health Center of South Central Texas for all Victoria area students to address their acute healthcare needs. The center covers health concerns such as acute burns, common colds, flu, diabetes, STIs, respiratory infections, strep throat, blood pressure, cholesterol, birth control, UTIs, earaches and more. The cost of a visit will be no more than $25 and can include up to two in-house labs (rapid COVID-19 testing, flu strain A&B, strep throat, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, urinalysis and pregnancy testing). For each additional in-house lab, the cost is $30, and outside lab costs can vary.

To schedule an appointment, call 361-576-2110. The center is located at 4206 Retama Circle, but patients are mainly being seen through telehealth right now because of COVID-19. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday except for Tuesday, when the center is open until 8 p.m. Visit www.chcsct.com to learn more about individual services.

Students are encouraged to use the Victoria Transit system if they do not have access to transportation and an in-person appointment is necessary. The center is on the Blue Route and is near Dick’s Food Store. When visiting the center, students must have their student ID and show proof of residency within 50 miles of Victoria. Students living in a UHV residence hall may access their proof of residency through the TAP tile on JagSpace.

The UHV Counseling Center is free and available to all UHV students who live in Texas. Services are available by appointment only in Suite 2108 of UHV University Commons or through teletherapy (virtual) services. To make an appointment, visit the center or email counselingcenter@uhv.edu.

A full list of student support services is available from Student Affairs.

Q: The COVID-19 situation has left me feeling anxious and worried. Where can I turn for help?
A: UHV recognizes that this is a stressful situation for many members of our community. For faculty and staff who are eligible for employee benefits, please contact UHV Human Resources or the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-346-3549. For students, please contact the UHV Counseling Center.

Q: I’ve received emails related to COVID-19, and I am not sure if they are legitimate. What should I do?
A: The Department of Homeland Security has issued an advisory warning of scams involving COVID-19, and the UH System Information Security Office is aware of phishing messages being received by faculty, staff and students. If you receive a suspicious phishing email to your UHV email account, notify security@uhv.edu, and be aware of the following:

Cyber actors may send emails to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes.
Exercise caution in handling such emails – avoid clicking on links and downloading attachments.
Be wary of social media pleas, texts or calls related to COVID-19.
Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.

Q: What can I do if I am experiencing suspected bias or discrimination?
A: UHV is committed to creating an inclusive climate for all our community members. The CDC offers guidance on countering stigma related to this virus. If you think you are experiencing discrimination or bias related to your national origin, race or other protected characteristic, please contact UHV Equal Opportunity at laker@uhv.edu or (361) 570-4835.

Resources

For additional information about COVID-19, including signs and symptoms, transmission and risk of exposure, and what to do if you are exhibiting symptoms, please refer to the links below.