Stephen F. Austin State University

Lumberjacks,

Beginning today, if you are administered a test for COVID-19, we are requiring you to inform the university. You can report your test on-line at Report a COVID-19 Test.

Let me explain why we are doing this, and why reporting a test, even without the results, is important…

A key to reducing the spread of COVID-19 is for those who may have been exposed to the virus through close contact with an infected person (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) to take special precautions not to be in close contact with others.

The process for alerting those who may have been in close contact with an infected person is called “contact tracing.”

Contact tracing is a public health action performed by persons employed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) when a testing lab reports a positive test result to them. When a locality has an established public health department, TDSHS may delegate localized contact tracing to that entity. As Nacogdoches does not have a public health department, the tracing must be conducted by staff working for Region 4/5N of the TDSHS based in Tyler. The case volume varies, and high volume can delay the start of such tracing.

So to supplement—not to replace—the work of the TDSHS Region 4/5N tracers, SFA has tasked the SFA Student Health Clinic with managing “internal contact tracing” for cases reported by students and employees at SFA. This tracing is designed to focus strictly on contacts that may have occurred on campus and is not intended to replace the community contact tracing the TDSHS will perform.

Contact tracing works best when it can be initiated quickly. Therefore, the timeliness of receiving a report is critical. That is the reason we have developed a COVID-19 Test Reporting requirement and process. Supervisors, hall directors, and others can assist those who need to report, or can report on their behalf.

Since it is currently taking five to seven days to receive the results of a test, we are requiring that you report when you take a test rather than waiting until you receive your test results. This earlier report will allow for a faster response.

Details about the COVID-19 Test Reporting Process are now included on the OPEN SFA: Guide to Fall 2020 website. There is also information there in the FAQs about the steps taken after a report is received.

Will we be able to stop COVID-19 with this reporting requirement? No. But early reporting can trigger faster response actions that can help reduce the spread of the virus.

I thank you for your patience and your understanding as we work to provide outstanding educational opportunities while keeping our campus community as safe as possible.

Scott Gordon President Stephen F. Austin State University | President's Office T 936.468.2201 | F 936.468.2202 Scott.Gordon@sfasu.edu

The views and opinions expressed in this message are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Stephen F. Austin State University, its Board of Regents, or the State of Texas.