University News

COVID-19 Update: Booster Clinics for UMass Faculty, Staff and Students

On Thursday, co-directors of the public health promotion center, Ann Becker and Jeffrey Hescock, sent a weekly update to the campus community announcing two large-scale COVID-19 booster clinics on Sunday and Monday for faculty, staff and students.

That email is as follows:

Dear Campus Community,

As we get ready to welcome back students for classes, the Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC) is writing to announce two large-scale COVID-19 booster clinics on Sunday and Monday for faculty, staff and students, and to share information on face coverings, isolation and quarantine, testing and the latest COVID cases update.

Large-Scale Booster Clinics

On Sunday, Jan. 23 and Monday, Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the campus will conduct two large-scale COVID-19 booster clinics in the Campus Center for faculty, staff and students. While we strongly encourage all students to get boosted before returning to campus, these clinics will provide them and others in our campus community an opportunity to get boosted prior to the start of classes Jan. 25.

Please book your appointment online. You will need to log in with your Net ID and password, then choose an appointment window in 15 minute blocks and your preferred vaccine. Walk-Ins will be accepted, but we encourage everyone to book an appointment. 

UMass remains committed to serving our region. Following the campus-specific booster clinics, the community vaccine clinic will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 27 and Friday, Jan. 28. Sign-up for appointments will begin on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 25. Please visit the PHPC Vaccine Clinic website to book an appointment.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are required in all campus buildings regardless of vaccination status. We strongly urge you to use a high-grade mask, such as an N95, KN95 or KF94, or a double mask with a surgical mask under a cloth mask. If you have difficulty finding a snug mask, consider purchasing a mask brace, which acts as a fitter to prevent the mask from gapping.

While UMass community members are expected to supply their own masks, the university recently placed a large order for KN95 masks, which are available to faculty, staff and students who are not able to obtain their own.  Starting tomorrow, the PHPC will begin distributing KN95 masks to departments, schools, colleges and residential halls across campus. Faculty, staff and students can also stop by the PHPC in the Campus Center during operating hours to pick up a maximum of two masks per person. In addition, the federal government has announced 400 million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile will be made available for free at local pharmacies and health centers starting next week.

 Here are some helpful tips for face coverings:

  • Cloth masks should be washed daily per manufacturer’s recommendations. Unlike cloth masks, N95/KN95/KF94/surgical masks cannot be washed.
  • Infectious disease experts suggest having multiple masks in rotation and to switch masks every day. When not in use, place your mask in a brown paper bag for 24 to 48 hours before using it again.
  • Inspect your mask after use. If it is damaged, stained, fraying, damp or wet, or if the straps are stretched out, toss it out and replace it with a new mask.
  • If you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, dispose of your mask and replace with a new one.

Isolation and Quarantine

The CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently updated their guidance on isolation and quarantine, which UMass follows. To help our community better understand the guidance, the PHPC has also created flow charts for isolation (if you test positive) and quarantine (if you are a close contact.)  

Testing

The federal government this week launched a program that makes every home eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. To access testing on campus, please refer to the testing website.

The university is closely monitoring the recent COVID-19 cases affecting our campus community, Massachusetts and the nation. The latest COVID-19 testing data for the UMass community from Jan. 12-18 shows 310 new positive cases. The university’s cumulative positivity rate is 5.13, down from last week’s rate of 7.56%. The state’s seven-day positivity rate is 16.70%.

We thank everyone for their continued support in keeping the campus safe as we embark upon a new semester in 2022.

Sincerely,

Co-Directors of the Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC)

Ann Becker, Public Health Director
Jeffrey Hescock, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety