Coronavirus Updates

HSC’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

A task force of HSC leaders, led by David Mansdoerfer, Special Assistant to HSC President Michael Williams and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is closely monitoring the COVID-19 (new coronavirus) situation and HSC’s response.

Travel policies and suspensions

• All HSC-sponsored international travel is suspended.
• If employees or students have traveled internationally recently (for HSC or personally), they must stay home for self-observation for 14 days. They should not come to HSC facilities nor allow HSC employees to visit their home or drop off materials.
• All domestic HSC-sponsored travel outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area is suspended until May 31, when the decision will be reviewed. No self-observation period is required after domestic travel.
• We strongly urge employees and students to use extreme caution and judgment in making personal travel decisions.
• Departments that cannot get refunds for airline tickets, conference registrations, etc., need to assume those expenses within their department.

Working remotely during self-observation after returning from international travel

• Employees may work remotely with their supervisor’s approval.
• Employees working remotely for the purpose of COVID-19 self-observation are exempt from completing Flexible Work Arrangement forms and training.
• Those who cannot work remotely may claim a special paid “emergency leave” until March 27. After March 27, employees will need to use vacation and sick leave during COVID-19 self observation.

If employees, students or HSC partners develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should:

• Call their health care provider before going to the clinic so the provider can take precautions to protect others in the clinic.
• Follow the health care provider’s advice. Stay away from school and work until at least 24 hours after being fever free without the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
• If they must go out, wear a mask and avoid close contact with others, especially around infants and children, those over age 65 and those who have a compromised immune system.