STC Starr Campus Provides Ongoing COVID-19 Testing to Campus Community and Public

STARR COUNTY, TEXAS – Since the return of winter break and with face-to-face classes set to resume on-campus Jan. 31, STC’s Starr County campus is administering COVID-19 tests to students, faculty, staff and the general public.  

For many Starr County residents, the commute and wait time for testing sites proved to be a challenge in the rural community.  

Among the first to receive the COVID-19 test at the launch of STC’s testing site was a family of three. 

“We had to travel pretty far and the first time I went to get tested was in Alton,” shares Starr resident, Zabdi Herrera.  

Her eight-year-old son Julian and partner Anthony also received the test and said it was easy.  

"I just wanted to bring my son to ensure that we’re not contagious within our family, so if I feel a certain way, I want to make sure that they’re safe,” adds Herrera.  

Student Government Association president, Anthony Cantu said bringing this opportunity to the Starr campus was of great benefit to students. 

“As a president of this organization we see the needs of the students on campus,” said Cantu. “And now that we have the testing site available, to us, it’s just great."  

Cantu shares since the return of his winter break, he feared that his younger brother had the virus. 

“I know there are already a few free testing sites in Starr County, but my family and I had to wait six hours in line,” he said. “Luckily, we all tested negative, but I think students should test before coming back to campus because you don’t want to be that person to get others sick.”  

STC is providing two tests with vendor AltruDx from Houston, TX. The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and rapid test are available to the college community while the PCR is administered to the public only.  

“The PCR test takes three to four days to receive test results because we do mail it to our vendor’s lab,” said STC nursing student, Patricia Toscano. “The PCR is more accurate in results than the rapid test where you’ll wait fifteen minutes to get your results.”   

Starr County campus administrator, Dr. Daniel Montiel thanks STC leaders for offering the testing site.  

“We are fortunate to have our STC campuses offer services to the community because when you’re in a rural community such as this, there are fewer resources and we thought we’d be able to help bring some of the testing because that’s been the primary defense along with CDC guidelines,” said Dr. Montiel.  

Students, faculty and staff need to present their school I.D. and A# to receive the test. A form for either test will need to be filled out and insurance is recommended but not required.  

The general public will fill out a form for the PCR test and present a government issued I.D. Insurance is recommended but not required.  

The COVID-19 testing site at STC’s Starr County campus will continue Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Portable 3 for students and employees and Parking Lot 1 for the general public.  

For more information on our testing sites and hours visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/emergency/covid19-testing.html