The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation. This page will be updated as information is made available.
Reviewed and Updated by: UT Health Austin’s Clinical Quality Manager
Your safety and health are our top priority. UT Health Austin recommends patients stay home if you have mild-to-moderate symptoms, use home monitoring and care for COVID-19 symptoms. Please note that people with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms, similar to the common cold. Currently, there are no antiviral medications to treat Coronavirus and antibiotics are not useful for treating viral infections such as Coronavirus.
If you are experiencing new, or worsening, of any of the following symptoms or, if you suspect you may have been exposed to COVID-19, before going to an urgent care or the ER, we recommend you call your doctor or healthcare provider’s office.
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- New loss of taste or smell
When to Seek Medical Attention:
If you develop any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: Notify the operator that you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering or surgical mask before medical help arrives.
In accordance with public health guidance, we’ve made some important changes to our clinic operations to keep you and our staff safe. UT Health Austin is following the most up-to-date CDC screening guidelines for Coronavirus detection. These guidelines are subject to change and we will update this page as needed. Click here to learn what other measures we are taking to protect our patients and staff.
For in-person appointments, we are doing everything possible to keep you safe while delivering the care you urgently need. If you have an appointment at the clinic, patients are required to use a face covering or mask to enter the building. The mask or face covering should cover your nose and mouth completely. If you do not have a mask, you will be given one before entering the clinic. We are also screening at the entrance with a thermal scanner and series of questions. Most importantly, we ask that you call first if you have a fever, cough or trouble breathing before you come into a clinic. For those who have mild symptoms, it is best to use our home care instructions.
COVID-19 Testing
UT Health Austin COVID-19 (coronavirus) testing is offered through our drive-thru testing clinic and WorkLife clinic (by appointment only). Please call 1-833-UT-CARES for scheduling information.
Antibody Testing
Antibody testing is limited to new and established UT Health Austin patients. Patients may call 1-833-UT-CARES (833-882-2737) to schedule a telehealth appointment with WorkLife to 1) determine if testing is appropriate and 2) discuss the implications of the test results for their individual situation.
- Antibody testing is appropriate for anyone who has a high probability of yielding accurate results from the test (e.g., an individual who has not been able to maintain social distancing, consistent masking, hand washing, or exposure to persons with COVID-19)
- Someone who has had symptoms resembling COVID-19 at some point this year
- Someone who has had an exposure to someone who had COVID-19, or has traveled to a highly endemic area for COVID-19 (e.g., China, Italy, New York, Seattle, etc.) within the past 14 days
- Anyone who is actively having symptoms of COVID-19, particularly within 14 days since symptom onset, should be scheduled for PCR testing (nasal swab) rather than antibody testing
The State of Texas has designated The University of Texas at Austin (including UT Health Austin, the clinical practice of the Dell Medical School; the School of Nursing; the College of Pharmacy; the Steve Hicks School of Social Work; University Health Services; and the Office of Campus Safety) a COVID-19 Vaccination Hub to help protect the health of the greater Austin community.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine availability or if you meet the meet the requirements of priority vaccination Phase 1B and need to request a vaccination at UT Health Austin, please visit here.
Current UT Austin students, faculty, and staff who meet the requirements of priority Phase 1B:
If you are interested in requesting a vaccination through UT Health Austin, please visit protect.utexas.edu/vaccine for further instruction. You should not fill out the UT Health Austin online COVID-19 Vaccination Request Form.
For our patients who are not part of priority Phase 1B:
Population-wide vaccine availability will occur at a later date as determined by the State of Texas. We will keep you updated as we learn more about this process. To explore FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccination, click here.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a number of provisions to provide relief to the public from issues caused by the pandemic, including price transparency for COVID -19 testing. Section 3202(b) of the CARES Act requires providers of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 to post the cash price for a COVID-19 diagnostic test on their website from March 27 through the end of the public health emergency. For more information, see the FAQs.
*At UT Health Austin, the self-pay cost for COIVD-19 screening and testing is $80.00, plus an additional lab charge for Clinical Pathology Laboratories of $70.00.*
UT Health Austin is now performing elective surgeries and procedures (operations) which require an overnight stay. All surgeries will proceed pending the results of COVID-19 pre-screening.
COVID-19 Articles
UT Health Austin is the first Central Texas medical facility to receive the first round of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine and plans to begin administering vaccinations to frontline healthcare personnel
UT Health Austin's Surgical Oncology Clinic adapts to telehealth to gives patients battling a cancer diagnosis the care they need during COVID-19
When you are under stress for a prolonged period of time, it can cause or worsen a variety of health problems, which is why it's important to take the time to recognize the symptoms of the stress you are feeling, find ways to better manage that stress, and know who to contact if you need help
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on how employees can stay healthy as they continue to navigate the public health threat of COVID-19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interim guidelines on how to protect employees and customers from COVID-19
UT Health Austin Ob/Gyn Lauren Thaxton, MD, answers questions about pregnancy during COVID-19
Tips to help ease your COVID-19 anxiety and stress
Practical ways to stay fit at home while you practice social distancing
At-home physical therapy exercises to help relax tense muscles, reduce aches, and make you feel better
Ways to increase productivity while working from home
Tips on how to reduce joint pain while working from home
How to maintain a healthy diet while spending more time at home
How cloth face masks provide additional public health measures
A convenient online system that monitors COVID-19 symptoms while patients stay at home
What you need to know about contact tracing, and how you can help your community today
A team of experts come together to address a single problem: making sure that front-line healthcare workers have the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to do their jobs
Understanding the basics pertaining to COVID-19
COVID-19 Resources
Contact Tracing
Immunocompromised Patients
Patient FAQ
Protecting Our Patients and Staff
Requesting Vaccination at UT Health Austin
Resources for You and Your Family
Social Distancing, Monitoring, Quarantine, or Isolation?
Telehealth Options for Patients
Vaccination FAQs
When Should I See My Healthcare Provider?