WE DID IT!
Texas CARES, we have reached our initial enrollment goal! Thank you!
- If you've already enrolled, please make sure to complete your blood draw - remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint.
- Already completed your first blood draw? We are continuing the second and third ones for all enrolled participants, so watch for reminders.
- We completed the first milepost, but there is a lot of "race" left, and we still need your help before we reach the finish line to understand antibodies.
- And if you're curious about what we are learning, check out our website to access the public dashboard, and learn more about COVID-19 antibodies in Texas and possible opportunities for continuing participation in the program.
For participants who are currently enrolled in Texas CARES, you will need to:
- Choose a clinical pathology lab site where you will go to have your blood drawn for your 3 antibody tests. To find a CPL site convenient to you, visit https://www.cpllabs.com/locations/. Once on the CPL webpage, scroll all the way down to the bottom to enter your zip code. Please be sure to bring your ID to your CPL visits. No appointment is needed.
- While at your first antibody test (T1), your attending clinician at the CPL may verify that you completed the initial consent form and survey. Please note that appointments are walk-in, but please check location hours at https://www.cpllabs.com/locations/.
- Mark your calendar for a reminder for your next antibody test as you leave the clinic. The survey team will send reminder texts for T2 and T3 survey links 90 days after your results are received.
- For T2, T3, and T4, you will also be asked to complete an additional survey.
The results of your antibody test will be texted to you after each CPL visit. You can access a full report on CPL’s portal after you receive the text message from Texas CARES. If your results are not loaded in the portal, please call the Sonic MyAccess customer service group at 512.339.1275.
Your test results and survey responses are protected by HIPAA regulations, just like your health records. Individual results will not be shared with your employer, professional organizations or any other stakeholders.
For more information, you can review a list of our most frequently asked questions.
ABOUT THIS SURVEY
What is Texas CARES?
The Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey, or Texas CARES, is a survey that will help us better understand the human antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Survey participants will help us measure things like how many people in the survey have COVID-19 antibodies, and how long those antibodies last.
WHAT TO EXPECT
What do volunteers have to do?
If you sign up to be a part of Texas CARES you will receive four free antibody tests. These will include both the total antibody test and Roche S-test looking for spike protein. We are working with local labs across Texas to make it convenient for you to enroll and complete your test. After each test, you will receive your results in a confidential and timely manner. You will also be asked to complete three brief online surveys over time about your health, household and community.
Essentially, volunteers can help in three ways:
- Complete the 1st draw
- Help understand how antibodies respond over time and complete the 2nd , 3rd , and 4th draw
- Make a plan, bring a friend & follow, like and share on social media
For more information, including how to interpret the results of your antibody tests, you can review a list of our most frequently asked questions.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Who is eligible to participate in the survey?
All Texans (ages 5-90) are eligible to participate. Texas CARES is looking at how different people's experiences with COVID-19, including whether or not they show symptoms, may impact their antibody response. We also want to understand how antibodies and the immunity they might provide is developing across the state, especially with vaccine distribution underway. Individuals who have tested positive, negative, or have never been tested for COVID-19 at all are welcome to participate, regardless of vaccination status.
*We want to include children 5-17 years to ensure that we understand how children may develop immunity, may have been asymptomatic (no symptoms) and have antibodies that are helping them stay healthy. It is important that we have children in the project as they will be returning to school, may be exposed at different levels and may be asymptomatic. Children will have their blood drawn by certified phlebotomists who have experience working with children.
In the classroom
Helping educators teach their students about pandemic response
Texas CARES has developed specialized curriculum sets to support educators who want to teach their students about pandemic response. More detailed information about the curriculum, as well as downloadable lesson plans, are available on the Texas CARES curriculum page.
Lesson plans are available for the following groups, and is aligned to the Health, Science, and Math TEKS for each respective grade range.
- Grades K-2
- Grades 3-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
MEET OUR TEAM
Who is managing the survey?
Texas CARES is managed by a collaborative team from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, in partnership with Texas DSHS, CPL, and the UT System.
Team members from UTHealth School of Public Health include:
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here. Email the Texas CARES team at TexasCARES@uth.tmc.edu or leave a voicemail at 713-500-9441. Email is the best way to assure a quicker response time.
This project has been approved by the UTHealth Committee for Protection of Human Subjects, IRB# HSC-SPH-20-0825.
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