UTH

Texas CARES

The Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey (CARES) seeks to understand the human antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

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THANK YOU, TEXAS CARES PARTICIPANTS!

With your help, we continue to learn about COVID-19's impact in Texas!

Check back here to stay up to date on the latest news and findings. For any questions, email us at [email protected].

ABOUT THIS SURVEY

What is Texas CARES?

The Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey, or Texas CARES, is a survey that is helping us better understand the human antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. More than 90,000 Texans ages 6 months to 90 years old have volunteered to take part since September 2020. Over multiple time points, survey participants have helped us measure things like how many people in the survey have COVID-19 antibodies and how long those antibodies last. Building our understanding of how COVID-19 impacts families in Texas over time can then help shape local and state responses — and identify any new or emerging needs related to long COVID and ongoing social or economic impacts.

Why was Texas CARES started?

To identify what percent of the Texas population has antibodies in their blood, we use two serology tests, also known as antibody tests. One serology test, called the total antibody test, looks for antibodies in the blood made in response to natural SARS-CoV-2 infection. A separate serology test called the Roche S-test is also used to test for the presence of spike-protein antibodies, which are the antibodies arising from natural infection or vaccination against COVID-19. Serology results are especially important for detecting previous infections in people who had few or no symptoms.

We review the results of the serology tests, along with responses to a series of surveys that help us understand what things could contribute to people's differences in COVID-19 symptoms and diagnosis. We are now looking at social, behavioral and economic impacts of COVID-19 in communities across the state of Texas.

Data collection and analysis

Since the project started, we have been working on sharing the data. While the data collection is ongoing, we share and update the data we have on the Texas CARES dashboard. You can view more information about the data, including some of the survey limitations, on the dashboard webpage. 

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Click the image to view an up-to-date version of the dashboard.

FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS

How does Texas CARES work?

1. Complete a 10-minute online survey.

2. Receive a confirmation text message with your order number for the antibody test.

3. Head to your local CPL lab to complete your antibody test.

4. Receive your results as soon as they are available.

You can access your full results report by signing up through the CPL portal for your Sonic MyAccess account at www.cpllabs.com/sonicmyaccess or texting “CPL” to 66349. If your results are not shown in the portal, please call the Sonic MyAccess customer service group at 844-280-8484.

Remember, 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 anyone else.

For more information, including how to interpret the results of your antibody tests, check out our FAQ page.

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In the original cohort, 90,365 participants completed test 1, which included consent, a survey and an antibody test. 66,947 participants completed test 2, which included a survey and an antibody test about 3 months after test 1. 53,927 participants completed test 3, which included a survey and an antibody test about 3 months after test 2. 41,684 participants completed test 4, which included re-consent, a survey and an antibody test about 3 months after test 3. In a subsample cohort, 4,403 participants completed test 5, which included re-consent, a survey and an antibody test about 3 months after test 4. In a subsample cohort, 3,622 participants completed test 6, which includes re-consent, a survey and an antibody test about 6 months after test 5.

IN THE NEWS

See the latest Texas CARES updates

Factors associated with elevated SARS-CoV-2 immune response in children and adolescents

Factors associated with elevated SARS-CoV-2 immune response in children and adolescents

September 11, 2024

Read article

Prozone masks elevated SARS-CoV-2 antibody level measurements

Prozone masks elevated SARS-CoV-2 antibody level measurements

March 28, 2024

Read on External Site

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections after vaccination in adults: A population-based survey through March 1, 2023

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections after vaccination in adults: A population-based survey through March 1, 2023

November 29, 2023

Read on External Site

News Archive

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Texas CARES Publications

Catch up on the Texas CARES team's latest findings in this list of our published articles.

Texas CARES Coloring Sheets

Download and print three coloring sheets in celebration of some of the youngest participants of Texas CARES.

What You Need to Know About Long COVID

Long COVID is a condition where a person who has had a COVID-19 infection experiences long-term symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks after the infection. 

More resources

MEET OUR TEAM

Who is managing the survey? 

Texas CARES is managed by a collaborative team from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, in partnership with Texas DSHS, CPL, and the UT System. 

Team members from UTHealth School of Public Health include: 

Dr. Eric Boerwinkle 

Dr. Stacia DeSantis

Dr. Steven Kelder

Dr. Bill Kohl III

Dr. Luis G. Leon Novelo

Dr. Sarah Messiah

Dr. Michael Swartz 

Dr. Melissa Valerio-Shewmaker

Dr. Ashraf Yaseen

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here. Email the Texas CARES team at [email protected] 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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Contact us

[email protected]

713-500-9441

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