No positive COVID-19 tests on campus in first week, but only four tests administered

One+of+the+COVID-19+testing+centers+is+in+the+Paseo.+Residents+in+university+housing+can+be+tested+more+than+once+at+no+cost.

Josh Peck

One of the COVID-19 testing centers is in the Paseo. Residents in university housing can be tested more than once at no cost.

Josh Peck, News Editor

Only four UTSA students have been tested for COVID-19 through Student Health Services (SHS) since testing began this fall, two testing negative and the other two with pending results.  

According to data collected by The New York Times, UTSA has had three total COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Two of the three cases are likely from late March when a student and faculty member tested positive for the coronavirus. It is unclear when the third case was confirmed. 

Students can receive testing from the H-E-B Student Union 1.002 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Paseo across from UTSA Testing Services. The testing is being conducted through Livingston Med Lab. Before students try to get tested, they should contact SHS at 210-458-4142. Students can schedule an appointment to get tested through Livingston Med Lab’s website.

Other universities in Texas such as UT Austin and Texas A&M have confirmed hundreds of COVID-19 cases. However, both universities have much larger student populations and thousands more students living on campus than UTSA, which is only housing around 2,300 students.

The university may potentially introduce point-of-care testing on campus; these tests would produce results within 15-30 minutes of being administered.