UT Proactive Community Testing Program for COVID-19

Protect Texas Together by safeguarding our vulnerable community members.

Many people infected with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can spread the virus to others – a roommate, faculty member, family member, partner or friend who may be susceptible to severe COVID-19 illness. Getting tested, even when you feel healthy, helps UT monitor and respond to COVID-19 and contributes significantly to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

• The test uses a self-collected saliva specimen.
• The collection takes about five minutes (total time at testing site may take 20-30 minutes depending on the traffic at a site)
• Participation is voluntary. This test is not for clinical diagnosis or treatment purposes and results are confidential.

Testing Schedule

To qualify for PCT

To qualify for testing, one must be a UT student or employee and have not:

• experienced symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days;
• been tested for COVID-19 in the past 14 days;
• previously had a positive COVID-19 test;
• been diagnosed with a probable COVID-19 infection that was not confirmed with a lab test in the past 6 weeks; and,
• been in close contact with someone who tested (or was presumed to be) positive for COVID-19 within 14 days.

On the day of the test

• Use your Protect Texas Together app to complete your daily symptom survey and claim your Campus Pass. Then click on the PCT button in the app to give consent.
• DO NOT eat, drink, use mouthwash or tobacco, brush your teeth or chew gum for 30 minutes before giving a saliva specimen.
• Be well-hydrated before the 30-minute cut-off period prior to your test time.
• Wear a mask, except when giving the saliva sample.
• Parking garage validation is available at our Longhorn Wellness Center-SSB location.

How to collect a saliva sample video

Results

• We do NOT contact you unless your results are positive
• ALL results will be available for you to independently access on the MyUHS patient portal approximately 1-2 business days after your appointment; log in, click on Medical Records, then select the Lab Results tab.
• Results will not be released to your department/faculty/employer.
• If positive you will be retested with a clinical test and those results may be shared with appropriate entities, including Austin Public Health or HealthPoint/Occupational Health Program, for contact tracing purposes.

For questions about PCT not answered above, please email pct@austin.utexas.edu.