June 12 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir features School of Medicine Commencement

The School of Medicine Commencement was featured on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir during last night’s broadcast. The segment aired nationwide during the show’s 6:30 p.m. broadcast. You can watch the segment on UCI’s YouTube channel.

COVID-19 cases up at UCI Health

News coverage shows increased hospitalizations in California and across the country. At UCI Medical Center, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 44 today and an average census of more than 40 a day this week, has doubled since Memorial Day weekend. It is the highest we’ve seen during the pandemic. Please be aware that this is not unexpected -- we have anticipated additional COVID-19 admissions and have a dedicated and talented team leading our surge preparedness efforts.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Insights on the transition to remote teaching and learning for graduate students

As UCI transitioned to a remote setting amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges were inevitable. At the outset of the transition, UCI’s graduate students found themselves in a unique and challenging position. In addition to adjusting to their own remote learning and interruptions to their academic plans, many of them also served as instructors and TAs. In their teaching role, they had to quickly restructure courses for their students while learning how to use new technology and address student concerns.

Study of 2 cities shows domestic violence reports on the rise as COVID-19 keeps people home

George E. Tita, professor of criminology, law and society and urban planning and public policy, and researchers at UCLA have found an increase in the incidence of domestic violence reports in two cities, Los Angeles and Indianapolis, since stay-at-home restrictions were implemented in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 chatline provides fact-based guidance

Coronavirus guidance seems to shift daily, with the internet providing often-dubious advice. People seeking solid facts about the pandemic and how best to protect themselves and others sometimes don’t know where to turn. To address the need for reliable information, UCI has launched the COVID-19 chatline, which allows individuals to communicate online and in real time with trained public health undergraduates and get links to relevant internet resources. The service is for general questions, not specific clinical diagnoses.

UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS

Journaling and Writing for Personal Growth

UCI Wellness offers the next event in its COVID-19 Webinar Series, Journaling and Writing for Personal Growth. Whether you want to be a New York Times bestselling author or not, you may want to consider making writing for yourself a part of your day. Building a habit of free-writing can help to avoid writer’s block when working on an important project. Keeping a written record of our personal goals can help us to achieve them. Using a gratitude journal can help us to be happier, healthier people. The webinar takes place Monday, June 15 from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required.

Virtual workshop on how to access and use the UC COVID research data set

The Center for Biomedical Informatics (CBMI) of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) is pleased to announce a virtual workshop designed to help clinical and translational researchers, as well as data scientists, to access and use the UC COVID Research Data Set (UC CORDS). The event takes place Monday, June 15 from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required.

UC UPDATES

A conversation with Janet Napolitano

Since 2013, she has been the University of California’s president. Now 62, she will step down Aug. 1 to teach at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. The University of California’s president talks about her tenure and the pandemic.

What it means to graduate in 2020: UC’s new grads reflect on the moment

UC’s largest and most diverse graduating class ever — some 58,000 strong — bear an impressive array of skills and accomplishments. They have led undergraduate research projects, mentored fellow students, launched start-ups and nonprofits, organized for a cause. More than 80 percent hail from California, and 41 percent of them are the first in their family to college.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

Using a mask in public all the time could prevent a second wave, British study says

New research published in Britain said that the widespread use of face masks could push transmission of the virus down to a manageable level. Researchers found that wearing a face mask in public at all times is twice as effective in curbing the spread of the virus as wearing a mask only after symptoms appear.

Phase 3 trial of COVID-19 vaccine is underway

A COVID-19 vaccine developed by University of Oxford is currently in the phase 3 trial. This trial is expected to include 42,000 people, including people from the U.S., Brazil, and UK.

WHO chief scientist says coronavirus mutations will not influence vaccine efficacy

According to Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the WHO chief scientist, the coronavirus mutations are not expected to alter vaccine efficacy.

U.S. Surgeon General urges protestors to take coronavirus precautions

General Dr. Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General, warns those protesting to take coronavirus precautions by staying six feet apart, wearing a face covering, and carrying hand sanitizer. Adams also recommends bringing as little with you as possible.

OC Health Care Agency services update

Effective Friday, June 12, the Orange County Health Care Agency will establish a COVID-19 Hotline (714) 834-2000. The HCA COVID-19 hotline is dedicated to calls related to general questions about the County of Orange’s efforts related to COVID-19. It is not a replacement for the Health Referral Line, which is specific to those who are in need of medical attention. The hotline will be manned from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For general COVID inquiries, Orange County jurisdictions can send emails to: ETeam@ochca.com. Questions for the state can be emailed to: EssentialServicesInquiries@cdph.ca.gov.

New amended orders and strong recommendations of the County of Orange Health Officer

In light of new guidance for variance counties issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) authorizing specified sectors of the economy, with county health officer approval, to re-open as of June 12, 2020, these new amended orders and strong recommendations revise the prior amended orders and strong recommendations, issued by the Orange County Health Officer on May 28, 2020.

SchoolSafety.gov launches state specific tool

The Federal School Safety Clearinghouse is pleased to announce the launch of the State Information Sharing Tool, a new state-focused functionality on SchoolSafety.gov. This tool enables members of the academic community to search for state-specific school safety information and resources.

South Coast Plaza reopened, but with long lines

Yesterday, South Coast Plaza opened its doors after a three-month closure due to the pandemic. Due to modifications and social distancing, shoppers were met with long lines waiting to be let inside stores.

UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List

KPCC, June 11, 2020 (Audio)
COVID-19: new hot spots? Could we see a vaccine In 2020?

The Washington Post, June 11, 2020
Can old vaccines from science’s medicine cabinet ward off coronavirus?

American Journal of Public Health Podcast, June 10, 2020 (Podcast)
AJPH July 2020: “COVID-19: Are we in this pandemic all together?”

Voice of OC, June 11, 2020
Orange County officials no longer require masks during coronavirus pandemic

Decrypt, June 11, 2020
Congress mulls digital dollar, FedAccounts to speed up COVID stimulus

Fast Company, June 12, 2020
‘Doomscrolling’ can break your brain. It can also be a force for good

Media, Entertainment, Arts, Worldwide / Meaww, June 11, 2020
Polio vaccine could give temporary protection against Covid-19 by boosting body’s defenses, hope scientists

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