Colleagues,

Bexar County has maintained a “Low” COVID-19 community-level risk level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) matrix. After discussion with our infectious disease consultants, who continue to monitor the situation closely, we are extending the following changes out of an abundance of caution to keep everyone safe:

1. Temperature screenings have stopped at all clinical locations. Monitor your symptoms BEFORE you come to work. Stay home when you are sick and notify your supervisor.
2. Clinical spaces still require masks to be worn in all areas accessible to patients and visitors. However, masks are now optional to wear in breakrooms and in offices of clinical facilities (areas where patients and visitors are not present). Unvaccinated individuals should consider masking in breakrooms and offices. Physical distancing should still be observed whenever possible.
3. Clinical staff and providers may resume in-person meetings and group events. These events should be carefully planned with precautions concerning social distancing and food handling.
4. Universal pre-screening through laboratory testing for COVID-19 is no longer necessary as a standard practice for patients undergoing elective outpatient procedures at UTHP.

Chatchawin Assanasen, MD MBA

Interim Chief Medical Officer, UT Health Physicians Ambulatory Services

Professor and CCRI Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Oncology

UT Health San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano-Long School of Medicine

assanasen@uthscsa.edu