COVID-19 Update from the UMass Public Health Promotion Center: Feb. 3

The co-directors of the Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC), Ann Becker and Jeffrey Hescock, write to the campus community with this week's update.

That message is as follows:

Dear Campus Community,

The spring semester is now fully underway, and we appreciate the collective efforts of everyone to adhere to campus public health protocols.

The Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC) has conducted a number of COVID-19 vaccine clinics and we will continue to provide this convenient service. Vaccine clinics are set for Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3-4 and Feb. 10-11 from 3 to 6 p.m. Walk-ins will be accepted, but we encourage everyone to book an appointment. Students, if you submitted vaccine booster information on the UMass Patient Portal but continue to receive emails stating you are overdue, please review these important steps you must take to have your records verified.  

We have distributed more than 55,000 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.Please make sure to wear your mask securely over your nose and mouth whenever you gather with others in indoor environments.

The latest COVID-19 testing data for the UMass community from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 shows 229 new positive cases. The university’s cumulative positivity rate is 4.24%, up slightly from last week’s rate of 2.87%. The state’s seven-day positivity rate is 6.37%. Cases are occurring predominately in undergraduate students, are of short duration and reported as mild-to-moderate illnesses. There are no current hospitalizations.

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. University Health Services has symptomatic testing available for students, or, if you have an unobserved test kit on hand you can drop it off at one of the campus kiosks.

Thank you for all you are doing to care for yourselves and one another, and to support the health of our community.

Sincerely,

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

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