Tag: healthy campus

What should I do if I feel symptomatic or test positive and the Health Center is closed?

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For COVID-19 emergencies such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips, or face, call 911.

Students who need a test or consultation when the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center is closed can receive treatment through one of the local urgent care center listed here. The closest such facility to SMU is the Sanai Urgent Care Center (3414 Milton Ave., Dallas, TX 75205 // 469-522-3995).

If you test positive at an urgent care facility, or have come into close contact with a known positive case when the Health Center is closed, first fill out the CCC Form. A case manager will provide more guidance.

In the event a case manager does not reach out to you immediately upon filling out the form, follow CDC guidelines and isolate.

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

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The University uses the definitions as provided by the CDC. Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease and monitors for symptoms. Students living on campus will quarantine in their room and watch for the development of any symptoms.

An individual may not need to quarantine if they’ve been fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

Who provides medical care if I test positive for COVID-19 and am in University isolation?

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Our medical professionals at the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center will be available to evaluate students in isolation in-person or virtually. If a student experiences progressively worse symptoms, our medical professionals will determine if a higher level of medical care is warranted. If a student needs a higher level of medical attention, our physicians will arrange for the student to be transferred to a local hospital for advanced medical care. If an isolated student is transferred to a hospital, a member of the Dean of Students Office will notify the student’s emergency contact to alert them of the situation and provide the hospital’s contact information.

I am an SMU parent and am not receiving SMU communication such as email. How do I sign up?

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To receive all university updates, your student needs to go into their my.smu account and grant permission for you to receive updates. To receive notifications from SMU alerts, please text SMUParent to 888777. Also, please follow COVID-19 updates at smu.edu/coronavirus.

What if I test positive for COVID-19?

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Students who have tested positive, or have come into close contact with an individual who has tested positive, should stay home and submit a CCC form. They will receive a phone call from a member of the SMU contact tracing team to discuss symptoms, current living situation, isolation procedures, close contacts and academic support.

Employees who test positive should complete the SMU Health Reporting Form and remain at home. If a dependent tests positive, employees should contact their supervisor for additional instructions.

How much does a COVID-19 test cost?

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If you are a student enrolled in the University insurance, costs are fully covered without additional paperwork at the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center. If you are enrolled in a non-University insurance plan, costs are typically fully covered with a claim. Learn more.

SMU employees and families can receive no-cost, rapid testing at Virtual Care for Families clinic locations in the DFW area. It is available to those who have symptoms or may have been exposed to the virus. Clinic and testing hours vary by location so call ahead to confirm availability. Learn more.

SMU COVID-19 Student Testing

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On campus at the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center

  • Students who need a test can contact the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center at 214-768-2141 to schedule an appointment.
  • If you are enrolled in the University-sponsored health insurance plan: Costs are fully covered without additional steps.
  • If you are enrolled in a non-University health insurance plan (such as your parent’s): Costs are typically fully covered after filing a claim.
    • You will receive a charge for testing on your student portal, which most insurance providers will fully reimburse if you file a claim.
    • In the event your insurance denies your claim, contact the Health Center and ask for assistance on testing costs.

Through an off-campus pharmacy or health provider

  • If the Health Center is closed, students can receive a test through their local pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens) or in some cases, one of the local urgent care center listed here.
  • Students who test positive must complete a Caring Community Connections Form to report their status. The University case management team will follow up with information about isolation and quarantine procedures, if needed.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services, State of Texas and Dallas County offer resources of where to find COVID-19 tests.

HHS Resources
Dallas County Sites
State of Texas Sites

At home using an over-the-counter test

At-home testing kits are becoming more widely available through local pharmacies and health clinics. In the event you test positive through one of these kits, you should report your status to SMU through the CCC Form.

If reporting a COVID-19 positive test result for yourself or another SMU student, select “Confirmed COVID-19 Positive” in the “Nature of Report” section.

Also, include the following in Question 2 of “Incident Details”:

  • Date of Onset of Symptoms and Description of Symptoms
  • Date of Positive Test
  • Residence (Commons, Fraternity or Sorority House, or Off-Campus)