COVID-19 Update from the UMass Public Health Promotion Center
The Public Health Promotion Center emailed the campus community on Thursday, reminding students to wear masks indoors and to pick up COVID mail-in tests before leaving campus for winter break.
That email is as follows:
Dear Campus Community:
As classes have concluded for the fall semester, we want to wish all our students success on their final exams and safe travels home. During the holiday season, please remain vigilant in maintaining best daily public health practices, and also set aside time to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot if you are eligible.
The latest COVID-19 testing data from Dec. 1-7 shows 98 new positive cases. The university’s cumulative positivity rate is 1.76%, up from the previous rate of 0.76%. The state’s seven-day positivity rate is 4.99%.
The uptick in positive cases in the UMass community is part of a statewide trend. Please remember that face coverings are one of the proven safeguards against the spread of infection. Mask as much as possible, particularly indoors and in crowded spaces both on and off campus, and ensure that your both your nose and mouth are fully covered by your mask. Transmission risks do increase when socializing for an extended period over drinks and meals.
The university’s cases are of short duration resulting in mild-to-moderate illness, and there are no current hospitalizations. Details about case counts and vaccinations can be found on the university’s COVID-19 Dashboard, which is updated every Thursday. The campus continues to utilize adaptive testing by increasing or decreasing the number of students selected each week to come in for additional testing based on our surveillance data.
Students, remember to pick up your COVID mail-in test before you leave for winter break. You can get a testing kit and a pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope at the Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC) in the Campus Center. Following the instructions provided, please conduct your unobserved test between Monday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 14 and promptly use the pre-addressed envelope to mail in your test.
COVID-19 boosters: All students, faculty and staff are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot to maximize protection from new infection. Anyone 18 and older is eligible to receive a booster six months after their second Pfizer or Moderna shots, or two months after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson. You can make an appointment to get a vaccine booster by identifying a location through the Massachusetts COVID-19 vaccine finder or Vaccines.gov to find additional sites. PHPC vaccine clinic appointments are fully booked for the remainder of the semester but will resume in January. Please check the UMass vaccine website to book an appointment in the new year.
Everyone must continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms every day before coming to campus. If you feel unwell, stay home, and get tested. Testing is free and readily available at the Public Health Promotion Center.
Thank you for the care you are showing and the precautions you are taking. The individual actions each of us take help keep our community safe, strong and vibrant.
Sincerely,
Co-Directors of the Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC)
Ann Becker, Public Health Director
Jeffrey Hescock, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety