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Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Coronavirus Update

Spring 2022 COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Updated:

This page will be updated as information changes or becomes available.

You may schedule your test on the Curative website. You must complete your required COVID-19 test prior to January 28, 2022.
The required COVID-19 test utilized a self-administrated shallow nasal swab. Staff from Student Health and Wellness and campus volunteers will help walk your through the process when you arrive at the testing site. View a short video on how to administer the test.
Please schedule a re-test on campus as soon as possible.
Texas A&M-Kingsville is requiring COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty, and staff at the start of the semester. While individuals may not be feeling sick, we now know of the prevalence of a-symptomatic COVID-19 cases. In these instances, individuals may not outwardly display virus symptoms but may still spread the virus. This type of campus-wide testing will help us mitigate exposure on our campus. In addition, the information we receive from the testing will allow the university to make data-driven, real-time decisions based on the health conditions on our campus.
Yes. All students, staff and faculty will be required to take a COVID-19 test on campus prior to January 28th, regardless of vaccination status.
No, you are not required to re-test after testing positive according to guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Because inactive viral material can remain in the body for weeks after a person has recovered and is no longer contagious, individuals may continue to test positive for COVID-19 up to 90 days after their initial diagnosis. If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and begin feeling viral symptoms after your initial recovery, please contact a healthcare provider.

Once an individual tests positive, they must complete the entire 10-day isolation period. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, positive individuals can stop self-isolating when they meet all of the following criteria:

  • It has been at least 10 days since the date of your positive test; and
  • You are fever-free for one full day (24 hours) without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
  • Your symptoms are improving.
Caring for your mental health is critical as we continue to cope with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. Students are encouraged to contact Student Health and Wellness Counseling Services. Call 361-593-5080 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Other Individuals may also call the Coastal Plains Crisis Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-841-6467. Counseling services for employees are available through the Employee Assistance Program. More information about EAP services is found on their website.
If you are strictly taking online courses (6XX section courses) and will not be on campus at all this semester, you do not have to test. However, if you expect to come to campus for any reason, you are required to test.
If you do not plan on being on campus this semester, you do not have to test. However, you must comply with any testing, vaccine or face-covering required by your internship or student teaching assignment. If you plan to attend commencement on campus in May, you need to test.
If your teaching assignments are all online and you do not spend any time on campus, you do not have to test. However, if you expect to come to campus for any reason, you must be tested.
Classes will be offered in the modality listed on Blue and Gold. If you signed up for a face-to-face class, that is how the instruction will be delivered. The university will continue to sanitize rooms, and to provide hand-sanitizer at the doorways of buildings. Faculty will encourage face-coverings to be worn in the classrooms. Faculty will work with students who must miss class due to COVID-19 quarantine/isolation to ensure those students do not miss critical instruction and assignments.
It is our hope that faculty, staff, and students will work together to curb the spread of the virus on our campus. We will continuously encourage face covering when inside and getting vaccinated. In doing so, we will make every effort to continue with face-to-face classes this semester. Be assured that we will continue to monitor campus health conditions closely. Your health and wellness are our priority and will drive each decision we make this semester.
Please schedule your on-campus COVID-19 test as soon as you are able. If it is after the first class day, we ask that you consider wearing a face covering while you are attending classes.
Data represented in the “Cases for the Week” include all reported positive COVID-19 cases, including individuals who tested positive off campus and those who tested positive on campus. The testing data reported in the dashboard reflects on-campus testing numbers only.
Test results will provide critical data and insight into health conditions on our campus and will help inform campus decisions this spring. The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center may contact those who test positive to voluntarily participate in system contact tracing.
Tests from off-campus are not being accepted. By using on-campus testing, we can help ensure effective and consistent test results that can be analyzed properly to assess health conditions on campus.
We expect everyone to comply with the required testing. Individuals who elect not to test may face disciplinary action.
No. Face coverings cannot be required but may be strongly encouraged. Faculty cannot discipline or change the grade of a student for not wearing a face covering.
No. Proof of vaccination cannot be required. Faculty cannot ask students if they are vaccinated. Faculty can encourage vaccinations, in general, but not targeted to specific students.
Faculty should provide for face-to-face interactions. If the student requests a virtual meeting, then the meeting can be virtual.
If a faculty member tests positive, they are required to report it to HR for further instructions. If a student tests positive, the student must report it to the Dean of Students, Kirsten Compary (kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu), for further instructions. These protocols have not changed.

This depends on the vaccination status of the faculty member and students. We are following the guidelines of the CDC:

  • Fully vaccinated persons who have had close exposure with a positive case should self-monitor for symptoms and be tested 3-5 days after exposure. If they experience COVID-19 symptoms, they should isolate and get tested. They should also consider wearing face coverings in public indoor spaces for 10 days or until they receive a negative test. If fully vaccinated people test positive, they must follow quarantine protocol.
  • Unvaccinated persons who experience COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to a positive person should isolate, contact their supervisor (for employees) or the Dean of Students, Kirsten Compary at kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu (for students), and get tested. If they test positive, they must follow quarantine protocol.
QR codes will be provided for all F2F teaching spaces. The faculty member and the students must scan the QR code in the classroom. Faculty should include the statement regarding QR codes in the course syllabus – see the Syllabus Guidelines and/or Accessible Syllabus Template at https://www.tamuk.edu/academicaffairssupport/teaching-effectiveness/teaching-resources.html
Faculty teaching face-to-face classes are not responsible for accommodating students who do not wish to attend the class face-to-face. Face-to-face classes do not have to be recorded. Faculty may choose to allow a COVID-positive student or a student in quarantine to stream into a live class session or make class materials available online or accommodate the student in the same way they would any student with an excused absence. The student should be allowed to make up the missed work.
Yes. You may register for a campus COVID-19 test on the Curative website.
We encourage everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear face coverings in public, indoor spaces. Face coverings, coupled with other preventative measures including COVID-19 vaccinations, proper hand sanitization, and social distancing, have proven effective in curbing the spread of the virus.

If you are experiencing any of the following, you should consider getting tested:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of smell or taste
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
A recent study of COVID-19 symptoms indicates that among the vaccinated, the most frequently experienced COVID-19 symptoms include headache, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose and loss of smell. Among the unvaccinated, most commonly experienced symptoms include, fever, headache, sore throat, runny nose and persistent coughing.
The Kleberg County Mobile Vaccine Unit is making regular visits to campus and as needed/available throughout the semester. Check your email and campus social media for information on upcoming on-campus testing dates. Individuals may also receive a vaccine at the Kleberg County Vaccine Clinic located at 1724 S. Brahma Blvd in Kingsville. Christus Spohn Kleberg, local pharmacies, and health care providers may also have vaccines available. There is no charge for the vaccine and you do not have to have medical insurance.
Three vaccines have received authorization from the FDA, however, the CDC recommends people receive an mRNA vaccine, such as Moderna or Pfizer. Learn more about how each vaccine works and which may be right for you on the CDC website.

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated: 

  • 14-days after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines

Both the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC recommend that all those who are considered fully vaccinated and are eligible to receive the booster of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine should get one.

Regardless of vaccination status, you must follow COVID-19 quarantine protocols upon testing positive. Employees who test positive must contact Employee Services (henry.burgos@tamuk.edu or derek.gonzales@tamuk.edu) and students who test positive must contact the Dean of Students (kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu).  They will explain the quarantine protocols to you.
Any employee who tests positive must contact Employee Services (henry.burgos@tamuk.edu or derek.gonzales@tamuk.edu). Students must contact the Dean of Students (kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu). All individuals who test positive must isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status. They should not return to work or class during their 10 day isolation period.

According to CDC guidance, most fully vaccinated individuals will not automatically need to quarantine or miss work/class upon exposure to a positive case. They should, however, monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days. Fully vaccinated individuals are encouraged to get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if they are not experiencing COVID symptoms. These individuals should wear a face covering in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result. Recent CDC guidance indicates that fully vaccinated individuals may shed the virus to others if infected.

If they test positive, faculty and staff must report it to Employee Services (henry.burgos@tamuk.edu or derek.gonzales@tamuk.edu), and students who test positive must contact the Dean of Students (kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu).  Additionally, they must quarantine for 10 days.

If you have been identified as a direct contact of COVID-19 positive case and if you are unvaccinated, you will be required to quarantine for 10 days. You should consider being tested 3-5 days after your exposure. If negative, you must continue to observe quarantine for the full 10 days after being notified of your exposure. If positive, you must isolate for 10 days beginning from the first full day following the positive test result. You should not return to work or class during this 10 day isolation period. Employee who tests positive must contact Employee Services (henry.burgos@tamuk.edu or derek.gonzales@tamuk.edu). Positive students must contact the Dean of Students (kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu).

You can request a new room assignment. Depending on room availability, we will try to accommodate your request. Please get in touch with the Office of Housing and Residence Life at 361-593-3419 to make the request.

A small percentage of vaccinated individuals may contract COVID-19, but experience mild symptoms. Studies indicate vaccines are effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization. As such, if you begin to feel COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and get tested! Employees who test positive must contact Employee Services (henry.burgos@tamuk.edu or derek.gonzalez@tamuk.edu) and students who test positive must contact the Dean of Students (kirsten.compary@tamuk.edu).  

Yes, high-traffic public spaces are being sanitized regularly, as are learning spaces. Additionally, sanitizing wipes will be available in learning spaces, and hand sanitizer will remain available near entrances and in public areas across campus. Please contact Chris Vera, Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Construction at 361-593-2645 or at christopher.vera@tamuk.edu with any questions or concerns.
New employees and new students will have to complete a brief COVID-19 training. The new employees will complete training during the onboarding process. New students who have not completed COVID training before this term will be required to take the training. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The training is visible on the “courses” page of Blackboard for anyone required to complete it. New students will not have access to Blackboard course content until the training is complete. There is no deadline to complete the training.
Please email questions to JavelinaHelp@tamuk.edu.