Public Health Task Force Report 4.1
Date
2021-05-24
Authors
Arulanandam, Bernard
Cossman, Lynne
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UTSA Public Health Task Force
Abstract
Description
As of early 2020, humanity has been confronting a pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease, hereafter referred to as COVID-19.
This virus appears to be a new human pathogen that emerged in 2019 and rapidly spread around
the globe. COVID-19 has affected millions of people, triggering unexpected changes within social
systems, healthcare, and the global economy. Several countermeasures have been implemented
to control the spread of COVID-19, from campaigns aimed to improve personal hygiene practices to
community approaches like social distancing and quarantines.
In late May 2020, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy established a Public Health Task Force, composed
of experts and stakeholders from across the University, to advise on our response to the COVID-19
pandemic. This group was charged with gathering input from an external Expert Advisory Group on
appropriate best practices for relevant topic areas, including protection and prevention policies
associated with health considerations, facilities, and student life. A copy of the original Task Force
Charge is available in Appendix A. An updated charge, issued in March 2021, is available in Appendix
E. Based on an exchange with experts as well as research conducted by members, the Task Force
has developed this overarching guidance document with recommendations for the campus
community as we move through planning and implementation for a phased reopening. This is the
fourth report of the task force, primarily focused on reopening for Summer 2021. Another version of
this report is expected in July to provide best practice recommendations to help guide operations for
Fall 2021.
The results of this report serve as guidance for a Recovery Operations Committee (ROC) that was
formed to implement the recommendations of the Public Health Task Force and Tactical Teams (see
Appendix D).
This UTSA Public Health Task Force reflects one of several groups working together to take public
health best practices into account as we plan to move forward with the highest level of safety and
consideration of our campus community. The University and the Public Health Task Force expect to
continue integrating input from many organizations, including but not limited to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB),
The University of Texas System (UT System), the Governor’s Office, the National Collegiate Athletics
Association (NCAA), the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health), and others as
relevant to this topic. All input has been woven into recommendations here to guide our campus
reopening and operational efforts for Summer 2021 and beyond.
We will continue to update this report as additional guidance is made public and more is learned
about this novel virus’s spread and impact to San Antonio, including direct risk to our campus
community.
Keywords
COVID-19, Public Health Task Force