UIW COVID-19 Updates

The University of the Incarnate Word continues to monitor the local, regional and state-wide progression of COVID-19 to inform decisions about safe campus operations. Below you will find information regarding UIW's COVID-19 response, safety guidelines and helpful resources for the UIW community.

Updated Sept. 25, 2023

Beginning today, September 25th, the government will begin providing four COVID-19 rapid tests to each home. If you are interested, please use the link below to place your order. Four rapid COVID-19 tests costs about $40. Delivery will start the first week of October.

covid.gov/tests

Updated May 26, 2023

Dear Cardinal Community,

After nearly 3 years, the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration ended on May 11, 2023. The past few years have been challenging but much progress has been made that has created a safe environment where society can live with COVID-19 without significant disruptions. We now have COVID-19 vaccines, access to testing, and treatments that decrease and manage the risk of COVID-19.

In our UIW community, we have safely been able to contain the spread of COVID-19 and effectively treat and care for those individuals who did become ill. Going forward, UIW will continue to offer support for employees and students through UIW services but will begin to scale down COVID-19 tracking efforts.

Health Services

Students, employees, and employee dependents will continue to have access to medical services that include vaccines, testing and treatment of COVID-19. Please call (210) 829-6017 to schedule an appointment.

Behavioral Health

Students will continue to have access to counseling and support services through Behavioral Health. Appointments can be scheduled online.

Illness Report

Students and employees are no longer required to report their COVID-19 illness to the university. Students will notify their faculty and employees will notify their supervisor of any absences related to illnesses. You are still encouraged to stay home when you are sick and refrain from coming to campus if you test positive for COVID-19. Individuals exposed to COVID-19 may still come to campus but are encouraged to wear a facemask. Facemasks are not required on campus.

UIW is committed to protecting our community from illness and will continue to invest in healthcare related resources to better serve our students, employees and friends. Please feel free to reach out to UIW Health Services for any health and wellness related questions.

Thank you for all your work in keeping our community safe.

UIW COVID-19 FAQs (Updated 5/26/2023)

People in the following categories are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19:

  • Older adults
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Dementia or other neurological conditions
  • Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Disabilities
  • Heart conditions
  • HIV infection
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
  • Mental health conditions
  • Overweight or obesity (BMI >25)
  • Physical inactivity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Smoking, current or former
  • Solid-organ or blood stem cell transplant
  • Stoke or cerebrovascular disease
  • Substance use disorder
  • Tuberculosis

Don’t delay, treatment for COVID-19 may be available to you if you recently tested positive for COVID-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms.

If you test positive on a home rapid antigen test, you can do a telemedicine appointment to determine if treatment with COVID-19 antiviral medication is right for you.

If you are symptomatic, an in-person appointment can determine if you have COVID-19 and also provide treatment if it’s the right course for you.

Call UIW Health Services at 210-829-6017 for questions. Located on the Broadway campus behind the nursing building.

The UIW Mask Policy no longer mandates the wearing of masks indoors/outdoors whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Other conditions apply. Please review the latest update to the Mask Policy (3/16/2022) for the most recent changes. Should you choose to wear a mask, CDC recommends using a high-quality mask that has two or more layers that fit snugly and includes a nose wire for a closer fit and to prevent gaps for the best protection. For more information, visit CDC - Your Guide to Masks.

Read the full mask policy here.

  • Effective Sept. 2, 2022, the UIW Curative kiosk located at Founders Hall (4119 Broadway) and the School of Osteopathic Medicine will be closing.
  • The closest testing sites that will remain open are listed below.
    • American Legion Rapid Testing, 1103 Cincinnati Ave, San Antonio, TX 78201
    • COSA Indoor Testing, 1103 Cincinnati Ave, San Antonio, TX 78201
    • Harlandale Park, 7227 Briar Pl, San Antonio, TX 78221
  • You can obtain a list of test centers near you through the national directory by texting your zip code to 438829.
  • UIW Health Services offers COVID-19 rapid antigen testing and PCR testing. Visit UIW Health Services website for important updates, cost information and additional details.
  • You may also test at one of the public testing facilities, the City of San Antonio offers this list of local testing locations.
  • The most recent UIW Testing Policy clarifies minimum weekly testing requirements for employees subject to testing under the UIW Vaccine Policy, unvaccinated campus residents, and athletes per NCAA guidelines.

UIW Health Services offers vaccinations and boosters. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (210) 829-6017.

The university continues to encourage social distancing whenever feasible. We ask all Cardinals to use your best judgment to determine appropriate social distancing.

UIW will continue to perform nightly cleaning and sanitizing in classrooms, and in work areas upon request.

Persons who are feeling ill, regardless of their vaccination status, should quarantine themselves from others until all symptoms have passed for 24 hours, get clinically evaluated and be tested for COVID-19.

  • UIW Health Services offers COVID-19 rapid antigen testing and PCR testing. Visit UIW Health Services website for important updates, cost information and additional details.
  • You may also test at one of the public testing facilities, the City of San Antonio offers this list of local testing locations.

For scheduling and additional information, visit UIW COVID-19 Testing.

Students and employees are no longer required to report their COVID-19 illness to the university. Students will notify their faculty and employees will notify their supervisor of any absences related to illnesses. You are still encouraged to stay home when you are sick and refrain from coming to campus if you test positive for COVID-19. Individuals exposed to COVID-19 may still come to campus but are encouraged to wear a facemask. Facemasks are not required on campus

If you are fully vaccinated and received a Booster vaccine:

  1. You are not required to quarantine and may attend school or work unless you develop symptoms.
  2. Day 0 is the day of your exposure.
  3. Test on day 5 after your exposure.
  4. Wear a mask around others at all times until day 10 after exposure (do not eat with others, drive in cars, or socialize while unmasked).
  5. If you test positive, follow the guidelines in the previous FAQ answer (What if I test positive, what is the protocol?).

If you are not vaccinated;

  1. You are not required to quarantine and may attend school or work unless you develop symptoms.
  2. Day 0 is the day of your exposure.
  3. Test on day 5 after your exposure.
  4. Wear a mask around others at all times until day 10 after exposure (do not eat with others, drive in cars, or socialize while unmasked).
  5. If you test positive, follow the guidelines in the previous FAQ answer (What if I test positive, what is the protocol?).

No. Per the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved in the United States cannot cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.

To speak to a counselor, students may contact Behavioral Health Services at (210) 832-5656. Employees should contact the Office of Human Resources at (210) 829-6019 or by email at uiwhr@uiwtx.edu. If you require medical services, please contact Health Services at (210) 829-6017 or your personal physician. The Office of Mission and Ministry is also available for pastoral care and can be reached at ministry@uiwtx.edu.

Masks/Face Coverings on Campus

UIW Statement of Shared Responsibility

Together We Are One Word. Let's all do our part to protect our Cardinal family.

Para la version en espaƱol, haz clic aqui

COVID-19 Safety Rules

Here's some useful information about the coronavirus. Please do your best to follow general hygiene and safety guidelines to help contain the spread.

graphic icon of a coronavirus

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus discovered in 2019. Much is left to be known, but it is considered to be highly contagious and can cause severe cardio-pulmonary complications in patients.

Learn more about COVID-19 from the CDC

graphic icon about detecting Covid symptoms

Symptoms

Many who test positive for COVID-19 report feeling flu-like symptoms, cough and shortness of breath. However, additional symptoms have been identified over the last several months as more is learned about the virus.

Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms

graphic icon for maintaining a safe social distance

Social Distancing

Social distancing means keeping a safe space between you and others who are not part of your household. Learn how to protect yourself and others by visiting the CDC website for more information.

Learn more about safe social distancing

icon graphic for hand washing and good general hygiene

Good Hygiene

Good hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and disinfecting surfaces help prevent the spread of disease. These measures will also help protect you and others from COVID-19. Learn about the importance of hand washing.

Learn more about protecting yourself

View the COVID-19 Map Updates on Your Mobile Device

Additional Resources

Representatives from UIW's various departments are ready to assist you and answer your questions.

Athletics

(210) 829-2722
athletics@uiwtx.edu
Athletics Website

Campus Life

(210) 829-6034
campusengagement@uiwtx.edu
Campus Life Website

Mission & Ministry

(210) 829-6000
ministry@uiwtx.edu
Mission & Ministry Website

Human Resources

(210) 829-6019
uiwhr@uiwtx.edu
Human Resources Website

Emergency Management

(210) 829-6035
uiwsafety@uiwtx.edu
EHSRM Management

Communications

(210) 829-6001
pr@uiwtx.edu
Communications & Brand Marketing Website

Tech Support/Help Desk

(210) 829-2721
helpdesk@uiwtx.edu
Help Desk Website

UIW Libraries

(210) 829-3835
reference@uiwtx.edu
UIW Libraries Website

Counseling & Behavioral Services

(210) 832-5656
counseling@uiwtx.edu
Counseling & Behavioral Services Website

Health Services

(210) 829-6017
healthsvcs@uiwtx.edu
Health Services Website

Financial Aid

(210) 829-6008
finaid@uiwtx.edu
Financial Aid Website

Business Office

(210) 829-6043
busad@uiwtx.edu
Business Office Website

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