COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus discovered in 2019. The virus spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets and small particles produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus spreads readily in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor settings. Illness can range from mild to severe, though not everyone infected with the virus develops symptoms. Adults 65 years and older and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.

Learn More on the CDC Website

UTMB Employee & Student Information

UTMB Patient Care Protocols

Contact Infection Control

Have questions or need information, contact Infection Control by paging (409) 643-3133 or calling (409) 772-3192.

Latest News

Respiratory viruses and back-to-school

August 29, 2023 • 4:30 p.m.

Communities in the area are seeing an uptick in individuals with COVID-19, and with that experts are reminding it's not too soon to think about other respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV.

Doctors get personal about getting flu and COVID vaccinations for their own children

December 22, 2022 • 8:36 a.m.

In this video, these UTMB doctors and providers share that they got their own children vaccinated for flu and COVID.

Be aware: COVID is not done with us yet

December 15, 2022 • 8:44 a.m. by Drs. Megan Berman and Richard Rupp

People are sick of hearing about COVID. So are we! But the truth is, the virus is not sick of us, and it’s not going anywhere. There has been nearly a 30 percent increase in COVID hospitalizations among elderly adults in the past two weeks. You should be aware of new information.