July 7 - Updates on COVID-19
Section 1
UCI UPDATES
OC Health Consortium advocates face coverings
UCI Health and other local health systems have formed the OC Health Consortium, focused on boosting awareness of public health issues during the pandemic. Recently the consortium joined business leaders and other prominent Orange County institutions to spread the word about the economic benefits of wearing face coverings. The consortium’s advertorial, Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and Keep Orange County Open for Business, ran in the Orange County Register over the holiday weekend.
New positive cases
Three UCI employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are recovering in self-isolation at home. Contacts with the other employees are being notified. A complete case count for UCI campus employees and students is maintained at www.uci.edu/coronavirus.
SPECIAL FOCUS: NEW RULES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students may need to leave U.S. if their universities transition to online-only learning
International students who are pursuing degrees in the United States will have to leave the country or risk deportation if their universities switch to online-only courses, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Monday.
Statement from UCI
The U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program announced changes that will affect international students taking classes online in fall 2020. UCI appreciates and values our international students and we understand the concern that many of you may have with these new developments. Our campus will do all that we can to support our students while complying with these changes and minimizing student disruption. Vice Chancellor Willie Banks and Dean Gillian Hayes authored the full statement sent yesterday.
Statement from UC President Janet Napolitano
“ICE’s announcement is perplexing, given that some degree of remote instruction is necessary for colleges and universities to protect the safety and well-being of their communities and the public at large, while still allowing students to continue their studies. Challenges and uncertainty related to COVID-19 are already weighing heavily on students; now is the worst time to burden them further with anxiety.” The full statement is available online.
UC UPDATES
UC to announce a successor to Napolitano to run the university system
The University of California regents will name a new president on Tuesday to take on the $37 billion system at perhaps the most challenging moment in its 150-year history. In the best of times, leading UC — with its 10 campuses, five medical centers and three national laboratories — is like running a small nation. The university has more than 280,000 students and 227,000 employees.
HOPE, INSPIRATION, LAUGHTER
Amid the heartbreaking loss of life and economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus, we recognize the need for stories of kindness, hope, courage and humor.
Pandemic dating: Drones, dancing and a giant bubble
After using a drone to ask out his neighbor, Jeremy Cohen found an unusual way to practice social distancing on their second date.
The best art created during COVID-19
The Washington Post recently asked readers to submit artwork they’ve created during the pandemic. This week, the newspaper posted its favorite entries.
Drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback
Drive-in movie theaters, the symbol of a bygone era before cellphones and constant distraction, are suddenly reemerging as a popular form of entertainment during the coronavirus crisis.
COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS
U.S begins formal withdrawal from World Health Organization
The Trump administration has notified Congress and the United Nations that the United States is formally withdrawing from the World Health Organization.
City of Irvine to start Rental Assistance Program
The Irvine City Council reaffirmed a previously approved Rental Assistance Program to provide financial support to Irvine residents impacted by COVID-19. The City of Irvine has committed $2,000,000 in one-time federal CARES Act funding to create the Rental Assistance Program. This program is only available to residential renters, and will exclude commercial, industrial or other types of business-related tenants. Irvine renters can apply for financial support beginning Monday, July 13 at 8 a.m.
Orange County hospitals preparing for ‘crisis care strategies’
As Orange County coronavirus hospitalizations rise faster than any other point during the pandemic, hospitals are looking to strategies like converting normal hospital rooms into ICUs and adding surge tents. On Sunday, Orange County hospitals reported 634 current patients, more than double the 292 people hospitalized on June 1.
The EPA has approved two Lysol products to kill coronavirus
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved two Lysol products as effective against killing coronavirus when used on hard surfaces: Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist.
U.S. commits $1.6 billion to COVID-19 vaccine
In the largest federal contract yet awarded to any COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. has committed $1.6 billion to Maryland biotech company Novavax.
OC Department of Education advises to postpone summer athletic programs
Orange County high schools were advised by the Orange County Department of Education to postpone summer athletic programs until further guidelines from health officials.
Volunteers to be infected with coronavirus to hasten vaccine development
More than 30,000 people from 140 nations have volunteered to be infected with the novel coronavirus. Young and healthy, they hope their sacrifices will speed vaccines to market and save thousands of lives.
State capitol closes for deep cleaning after several test positive for coronavirus
The state Capitol was closed Monday after Assemblywoman Autumn Burke (D-Marina Del Rey) and four others who work in the building tested positive for the coronavirus, which likely spread as staffers and legislators met to pass the state budget in late June.
LA Dodgers begin training
The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted their first official team workout Friday at Dodger Stadium in preparation for the 2020 season. Pitcher David Priceannounced on July 4 that he will be opting out of the 2020 MLB season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
CNN, July 7, 2020
The recession will scar Gen Z. And it could be even worse for Black youth
Physician’s Weekly, July 6, 2020
Majority of patients with mild Covid-19 experience altered smell/taste
USA Today, July 5, 2020
Colleges race to create ‘a new sense of normalcy.’ Will new rules, COVID-19 testing be enough?
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