Alerts

GSBS News and Updates:

Updated Jan. 22, 2021

Information regarding 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine for UTHealth students, employees

UTHealth sent out an email to all students, faculty, and staff on Jan. 22 with information regarding the distribution location and protocols to follow for receiving the 2nd dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Click here for details (requires UTHealth credentials to access).

February parking rate update for MD Anderson garages

MD Anderson is continuing rate reductions of 50% at its garages and lots for the month of February. UTHealth-owned garages and lots returned to standard rates in October 2020, and TMC-owned garages and lots returned to standard rates in June 2020. Visit the GSBS Alerts Parking and Transit page for complete details.

Reminder about new requirement for all air passengers arriving in the US

Effective Tuesday, Jan. 26, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires travelers flying into the United States from international destinations to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight. Students should review the CDC FAQ for International Travel for more details and information on this new requirement.

Students must then quarantine for 7 days post-travel and be tested again 3-5 days after arrival. Students should contact Student Health Services at 713-500-5171 for testing.

For more details regarding travel, please the GSBS Alerts Travel Advisories page.

UTHealth to serve as one of state's vaccine hubs

UTHealth, which includes clinical practices UT Physicians and UT Health Services, received notification on Jan. 16, that it was named a COVID-19 Vaccine Hub in Harris County by the Texas Department of State Health Services. UTHealth is waiting for more information and arrival of vaccine shipments from the state and will provide updates as available.

Screening hours for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Screeners will be at the entrance of the Mitchell Building (BSRB) from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18. The screening schedule will return to normal hours on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

MD Anderson issues instructions on how to access your COVID-19 vaccination record

If you received your COVID-19 vaccination from MD Anderson, Click here to read more about how to get your vaccination record (requires MD Anderson credential to access). This is important proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be needed for travel and services in the future.

UPDATE: Information about COVID-19 vaccination scheduling for GSBS students

GSBS students: If you have not completed the survey to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from UTHealth, please do so ASAP. An email from UTHealth Communications was sent to your uth.tmc.edu email address on Jan. 6 with instructions on how to register for an appointment to receive your vaccination.

If you filled out the UTHealth vaccination survey some time ago and have not received an email to schedule your vaccination, the message may have gone to your "Junk" email folder or in the "Other" section of your email inbox. Click here to see an example of the email.

If you have any further questions about vaccinations or appointment scheduling at UTHealth, please visit the UTHealth COVID-19 Response FAQ page (requires UTHealth credentials to access) or email covidvaccine@uth.tmc.edu.

If you are scheduled to receive the vaccination from MD Anderson, please do not schedule an appointment to receive the vaccination at UTHealth and vice versa.

Also note that if you work in an MD Anderson lab and choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine elsewhere, please send an email with your vaccination documentation to EHCOVID19Vaccine@mdanderson.org. Be sure to get both doses at the same location.

Houston area passes threshold for tougher COVID-19 restrictions

On Jan. 5, the Houston area surpassed a hospitalization threshold set by Gov. Greg Abbott that would tighten COVID-19 restrictions across the area. The region has seen COVID-19 patients make up 15% or more of the surrounding hospital capacity for seven days. Under Abbott’s orders, that automatically triggers restrictions that include the closure of all bars and a reduction of restaurant capacity to 50%. The restrictions would only lift if the region dropped below that 15% threshold for seven straight days. Read story here.

January 2021 parking rate update for MD Anderson garages

MD Anderson is continuing rate reductions of 50% at its garages and lots for the month of January. UTHealth-owned garages and lots returned to standard rates in October, and TMC-owned garages and lots returned to standard rates in June. Visit the GSBS Alerts Parking and Transit page for complete details.

New resources added to the GSBS Alerts Health and Wellness page

The holiday season can be a stressful time during a normal year, but compounded with the coronavirus pandemic, you might be feeling more stress then in previous seasons. The Graduate School wants to remind you that the GSBS Alerts Health and Wellness page has several resources to help you manage stress and maintain overall wellness. New stories containing stress management tips and a link to the new #UTHealthWellness Connection blog have been added to the page's Wellness section. Just look for the links highlighted in blue text.

New policy at MD Anderson regarding screening at building entrances

Starting Saturday, December 12, MD Anderson will institute a new disciplinary policy for individuals who do not comply with entry screening protocols for all research buildings. The cancer center had a large spike in individuals failing to screen over Thanksgiving (screeners were not on duty at the research buildings; therefore, people entering had to go elsewhere to be screened to gain access to facilities) and again this past weekend there was a significant spike. Repeat offenders could potentially have their MD Anderson building access revoked for five days. Read more here.

CDC recommends people wear masks indoors when not at home

On December 4, the CDC published a report which included “universal mask use” indoors and anywhere outside of an individual's home. Face masks remain one of the best tools to fight the coronavirus, which is transmitted through droplets spread by people when they cough, sneeze, or talk loudly. Read the full report here.

CDC updates guidelines for quarantine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their quarantine guidelines on December 2 and now recommend two additional options for how long quarantine should last. Based on local availability of viral testing, for people without symptoms quarantine can end: