COVID-19 Update: Over 500,000 Tests Conducted and 30,000 Vaccines Administered

During the course of the academic year the Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC) has closely monitored COVID-19 test results. In this, final weekly update for the semester, the PHPC is pleased to share data that reflects the campus community’s commitment to public health­­ — to date the PHPC has conducted over 500,000 COVID tests and administered over 30,000 COVID-19 vaccines.

UMass Amherst has one of the largest asymptomatic testing centers in the state that has served faculty, staff and students while also being available as a Stop the Spread Testing Location for community members. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the university was one of the first public regional vaccination clinics, opening on Jan. 11, 2021. The PHPC expresses deep appreciation for the teamwork and support from the College of Nursing, University Health Services, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Information Technology, and Administration and Finance for their critical roles in making the testing center and vaccine clinic a success. The vaccination clinic is unique in that it is primarily staffed by undergraduate nursing students, faculty and recent nursing graduates, providing the students with invaluable clinical experience while serving the public good.

The positivity rate for last week (May 3-7) was the same as the previous week at 0.12%, making it the ninth consecutive week of having a positivity rate under 0.26%. The 0.12% positivity rate ties for the lowest it has been all semester. Comparatively, the state’s current seven-day positivity rate is 1.26%.

Walk-Up Vaccinations

All UMass community members are urged to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Walk-up vaccinations as well as appointments are available at the UMass Vaccine Clinic, located on the first floor of the Campus Center. 

Walk-up clinic schedule for the next two weeks is as follows:

  • Wednesday, May 12 – 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 13 – 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Monday, May 17 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday – Friday, May 18 to May 21 – 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Testing Center at Mullins Center

Provided are the testing center hours for this week and next week at the Mullins Center

  • Wednesday, May 12 – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 13 – 8: 30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 18 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 19 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 20 – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additional information will be shared next week for students, faculty and staff who are studying, living or working on campus during the summer.

The UMass community worked together to complete this challenging semester, and we want to say thank you to everyone for your continued commitment to public health. Remember each COVID-19 vaccine dose marks one step closer to returning to full operations this summer and fall for us all, so please get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently being administered. Even if you will not be in the Amherst area in 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days (Moderna) to receive your second dose, you are still encouraged you to get your first dose immediately. With vaccine availability increasing across Massachusetts and the United States, it is now easier to sign up for a second dose if you obtained your first dose elsewhere. You may also still schedule a vaccination appointment.

Remember to keep your vaccine administration record and to upload any vaccines you receive elsewhere to the UHS patient portal.

For ongoing updates and details on the university’s COVID-19 response, please visit www.umass.edu/coronavirus/.