June 11 - Updates on COVID-19
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UCI UPDATES
Anteater Insider: Tom Andriola on reimagining technology at UCI
As UCI resumes on-campus operations, there’s an opportunity to develop a new normal around technology. Tom Andriola, vice chancellor of information technology and data, talks with the Anteater Insider about the rapid transition to off-campus operations, the sheer scale of the change and how UCI can reimagine technology.
Two positive cases
On Wednesday, a custodian assigned to facilities was diagnosed with COVID-19. The custodian is now in isolation and people who may have come in contact with this employee on campus are being notified. On Monday, an undergraduate student who hadn’t been active on campus for weeks tested positive for the virus after reporting symptoms via telephone to the Student Health Center and doing a drive-thru test at UCI. The student is now in self-isolation at home. SHC will notify the Orange County Health Care Agency and support efforts for contact tracing at the student’s off-campus workplace.
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES
Vocal arts students pay tribute to COVID fatalities
Thirty UCI students, all singing remotely, performed “Unclouded Day,” a gospel number, in honor of lives lost to COVID-19. The chamber group was backed by composer Shawn Kirchner on piano, and choir director Irene Messoloras conducted the virtual performance. Watch the video here.
Don’t let fear delay vital emergency care
When the coronavirus crisis hit in March, emergency room visits dropped by a third at UCI Medical Center (and other hospitals). But ER director Dr. Chris Fox says public fears of catching COVID-19 at UCIMC are unfounded, thanks to various measures to protect patients and staff. “We’ve gone above and beyond to keep the ER sterile,” says Fox, who adds that he feels safer at UCIMC than in local stores. The article provides a list of symptoms - from chest pains to broken bones - that deserve an ER visit.
UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS
UCI Forum: K-12 education and COVID-19
What have educators, doctors and policymakers discovered about K-12 education during the pandemic? What will learning look like in the fall? Tune in to the UCI Forum this Friday at 11 a.m. for a one-hour virtual panel discussion on school closures, remote learning, education gaps, socialization and parent-teacher roles. Experts will also discuss how to safely reopen schools. The video will be available online after the event at the above link.
UC UPDATES
Systemwide COVID-19 data
UC Health’s Twitter feed now includes daily COVID-19 updates with the number of patients at each UC hospital, maps showing the generalized home locations of recent patients, testing data graphs and more. And the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has created a data dashboard with information about COVID-19 case and death rates by race and ethnicity.
COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS
Disneyland and California Adventure to reopen July 17
Disneyland plans to begin a phased reopening on July 17, pending state and local government approvals. July 17 is the 65th anniversary of Disneyland’s grand opening in 1955.
How amateur epidemiology hampers virus efforts
Clueless opinions about how to track and halt the spread of disease endanger efforts to get the epidemic under control as the economy reopens, says a former CDC chief.
People with type O blood less likely to get COVID?
A preliminary study of 750,000 participants indicates a person’s blood type may affect susceptibility to the virus.
U.S. surgeons complete double-lung transplant on virus patient
In what was billed as the first such operation on a COVID-19 patient, a Chicago hospital successfully transplanted two lungs into a young woman whose organs were damaged by the virus. Read more here.
Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals canceled
Coachella and Stagecoach will not take place in 2020. Both festivals hoped to take place in the fall after rescheduling.
Human trial begins for first antibody cocktail
A medicine that could treat and prevent coronavirus is now being tested in patients across the nation. If the antibody cocktail is successful, it could be available by fall.
U.S. hits 2 million coronavirus cases
The U.S. surpassed 2 million confirmed cases yesterday. As of this morning, more than 112,000 people have died in the U.S.
1.5 million Americans filed for unemployment last week
An additional 1.5 million people requested first-time unemployment benefits last week. This brings the total claims filed to 44.2 million since mid-March.
170,000 U.S. coronavirus deaths projected by October
The coronavirus model that is often cited by the White House now projects 170,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S. by October, with an uptick in daily deaths in September.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
The Wall Street Journal, June 10, 2020
Did you forget things during lockdown? So did people with superior memories
The Washington Post, June 10, 2020
Would-be vacationers approach summer travel cautiously
Mashable, June 10, 2020
The pandemic’s most bitter pill
Voice of OC, June 11, 2020
After resident pressing, Irvine City Council approves rent assistance program
TIME, June 11, 2020
The pandemic closed art galleries’ doors. But who said a gallery needs four walls and a ceiling?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 11, 2020
5 ways to manage anxiety as Georgia continues to reopen
Bakersfield.com, June 10, 2020
COVID-19 deaths in three months equal to valley fever deaths in past five years
Anaheim Ducks, June 10, 2020
UCI surgeon, diehard Ducks fan making a difference during pandemic
MORE INFORMATION
OC-COVID19.org - powered by UCI and UCI Health, a website devoted to providing timely, useful, evidence-based information about the novel coronavirus pandemic to our friends and neighbors across Orange County
UCI Coronavirus Information Hub - more information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health