HSC guidelines and FAQs

Follow COVID-19 Guidelines Regardless of Vaccination Status on the HSC COVID-19 Guidelines page.

• Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

• Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 but your COVID-19 test result was negative:

• You should stay home and isolate. You may have received a false negative test result and still might have COVID-19.
• Contact your health care provider about your symptoms, possible follow-up testing, and how long to isolate.
• Report positive COVID-19 test results to HSCCOVID@unthsc.edu. Be sure to type #HSCSECURE in the subject line.

Definition of a close contact exposure:

• A close contact exposure has occurred when someone has been within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of > 15 minutes over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset or, for asymptomatic contacts, 2 days prior to collection of a specimen that tests positive for COVID-19.

Follow COVID-19 Guidelines Regardless of Vaccination Status on the HSC COVID-19 Guidelines page.

HSC students doing clinical rotations will adhere to the COVID guidelines of their respective clinical rotation site.

• Yes, you can still contract COVID-19 if immunized but your symptoms will likely be less severe and less likely to require hospitalization.
• You are still able to carry or transmit the virus to others.
• It is recommended that you continue to take precautions including wearing a mask, social distancing, and good hand hygiene to protect yourself and those around you.

Yes, CDC recommends COVID-19 primary series vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older, if eligible.

CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines

• No, people who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms, should wait to be vaccinated until they have met criteria for discontinuation of isolation.

• If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma while sick with COVID-19, you do not need to delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine. You may get vaccinated after you have met criteria for discontinuing isolation.

• Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same visit.

It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about emerging variants and the effectiveness of vaccines and other measure in controlling the spread of infection. We encourage you to get vaccinated, wear a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often.​

All employees and students should perform a self-assessment for symptoms before coming to campus every day.

Potential COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever  > 100.4 or chills  
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

*To date, most variants cause similar COVID-19 symptoms.

If an employee/student is having symptoms:

• Stay home and isolate.
• Notify supervisor/academic department that they are ill and not coming to work/school.
• See health care provider for evaluation and COVID-19 testing as indicated.
• If receive a positive COVID-19 test result, notify HSC by sending a secure email to HSCCOVID@unthsc.edu using #hscsecure in the subject line.

If you are waiting for your COVID-19 test results due to symptoms or exposure:

If tested because you were experiencing symptoms, do not return to campus until you have met criteria to discontinue isolation.

If tested due to exposure only and are NOT experiencing symptoms, you may return to campus. You are encouraged to wear a mask around others for at least 10 days.

If your test results come back positive, please report them to HSCCOVID@unthsc.edu with #HSCSECURE in the subject line.

• Report to HSCCOVID@unthsc.eduand include the following information: supervisor name; employee or student name; employee office # and building; employee or student contact information; and date last on campus. Be sure to add #HSCSECURE to the subject line.

• Pursuant to the Clery Act, HSC will assess each report of a positive case to determine whether a notification to the campus or a segment of campus is needed to protect the health and safety of students and team members. Any notification would protect the privacy of the reporting individual.

• Yes, regular housekeeping practices continue to be enhanced, including frequent cleaning and sanitization of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, and elevator panels, among others.

• This is a shared responsibility. Please do your part to keep your personal workspaces clean and avoid sharing workspaces and/or equipment.

• Masks (surgical with ear loops) are required for everyone in the HSC Health Clinics to mitigate transmission to patients.
• Wearing a mask when around others on campus is optional unless your status changes and you meet any of the criteria for wearing a mask due to exposure or positive testing for COVID-19 infection. Then, HSC recommends you follow the guidelines on the HSC COVID-19 Guidelines page. 

Masks are designed to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19 infections.

See the link below to learn about the different types, how to select and how to properly wear a mask.

CDC Guide to Masks

HSC is currently operating under Conventional strategy for use of disposable N95 FFR (Filtering Facepiece Respirator) Reuse.

COVID-19 Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators | CDC

Our HSC values empower you as an HSC employee or student to emphasize public health practices such as social distancing, hand hygiene, staying home when sick and proper cough/sneeze etiquette. Respectfully and kindly address your concerns with the individual or your supervisor.

The Employee Assistance Program(EAP) is available to offer support. This free service helps team members with family, legal or financial issues, substance abuse or other stressful events. EAP programs are available to retirement-eligible employees, retirees, household members, and dependents.

• The Student Support Programis available to offer support as well. This free service provides students with unlimited telehealth mental health support.

Health Select BCBS

• https://healthselect.bcbstx.com/content/medical-benefits/virtual-visits#Mental%20Health%20Virtual%20Visits– Virtual medical and mental health visits

  • Choice between Doctor On Demand and MDLIVE

Organizational Development & Engagement

• Prerecorded webinars – https://hr.untsystem.edu/available-training-opportunities#toc-2(full list found online)

  • How to Handle Change

  • Building Resilience in Uncertain Times

  • How to Manage Your Emotions

  • Strategies for Flourishing in the New Normal:  Is it even possible?

  • Understanding & Boosting Motivation

LinkedIn Learning

• List of recommended courses: https://hr.untsystem.edu/working-remote-support(full list found online)

  • Time Management: Working from Home

  • Balancing Work and Life as a Work-from-Home Parent

  • Dealing with Grief, Loss, and Change as an Employee

  • How to Be an Adaptable Employee during Change and Uncertainty

  • Supporting Your Mental Health While Working from Home

  • Managing Anxiety in the Workplace

  • Recharge Your Energy for Peak Performance

  • Avoiding Burnout

UNT System component institutions will follow established UNT System policies related to Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to faculty/staff requests for leave or other needs due to COVID-19-related circumstances.  

Team members who are seeking Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) or reasonable accommodations due to a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should work through their supervisor and follow the established System and campus procedures outlined in the links below.

• Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Please note that return to in-person operations will vary by location and job responsibilities. Each UNT System component institution will provide additional detail and guidance.

Please contact your Campus HR office with any questions related to employee leave, Flexible Work Arrangements, and the American with Disabilities Act.

If you observe or experience unsafe working conditions, please address immediately, if able and contact your supervisor to help address issues and concerns.

HSC has no restrictions on travel at this time. However, as the pandemic continues, the safety of our students and team members is constantly being evaluated.

NO, if an employee/student is having symptoms:

• Stay home and isolate.
• Notify supervisor/academic department that they are ill and not coming to work/school.
• See health care provider for evaluation and COVID-19 testing as indicated.
• If receive a positive COVID-19 test result, notify HSC by sending a secure email to HSCCOVID@unthsc.edu using #hscsecure in the subject line.