UCI Forward

UCI Forward is our commitment to the well-being of our community as we ramp up campus operations. Working together, each of us doing our part, we can move UCI Forward.

October 19 - Updates on COVID-19

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CAMPUS SNAPSHOT

Socially distant studying. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

Dear students: Don’t be No. 11

So far this quarter, UCI has issued 10 interim suspensions for COVID policy violations. UCI Housing is providing important updates on how to avoid becoming No. 11, including:

  • Complete the Daily Symptom Check -- daily.
  • Don’t invite guests or visitors to UCI housing facilities (more information on the No Guest Policy, and how to request an exception, is available here).
  • Don’t host any in-person gatherings.
  • And, of course, wear a face-covering outside your room, maintain physical distancing and wash your hands frequently.

Case count update

Four students and one employee tested positive for COVID-19 since our last newsletter. Currently, 11 campus cases are active (eight students, three employees). UCI’s coronavirus testing and case dashboard can be viewed on the UCI Forward website.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

UCI Health goes pink for October

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, UCI Health changed its chiller plant lighting to pink.

Phish fry

As National Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues, UCI reminds everyone that deceptive emails are one of the most common methods hackers use to gain access to your sensitive information. Learn more about phishing red flags and how to avoid them. And please report suspected phishing emails to spam@uci.edu.

Upcoming events

GENERAL COVID-19 NEWS

This section curates noteworthy coronavirus news, trends and opinions. No endorsement by UCI is implied. Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and OC Register for students, faculty and staff
  

Defense study finds low risk of catching COVID on packed flight

According to a study from the Defense Department, the risk of catching the coronavirus on a packed commercial flight is low. A person would have to sit next to an infectious person for at least 54 hours, the study concluded.

Europe overtakes U.S. in new cases of COVID

Europe has reached a tipping point in its fight to control a second wave of the coronavirus, surpassing the U.S. in a key metric that tracks the virus’s spread.

Migrant workers restricted to farms under one grower’s lockdown

The limitations have curbed COVID cases, but some workers say the rules are like being in prison.

Indoor sports are potential super spreaders

According to researchers at the CDC, indoor sports games can turn into super spreader events. Last spring, 62% of ice hockey players at a game experienced COVID-19 symptoms.

Swiss yodelers create COVID hot spot

Two mask-free sing-alongs attended by 600 yodelers turned a small Swiss village into a virus hotbed, officials say.

U.S.-Canada border to stay closed till at least Nov. 21

Canada announced that its border with the U.S. will remain closed until at least Nov. 21. Essential cross-border traffic for commercial goods and essential workers will continue to be allowed.

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. 
  

Satire: Haunted house, 2020 version

The Babylon Bee humor site says the spookiest Halloween haunted house attraction during COVID is “an old mansion filled with regular people who happen to not be wearing masks.”

#UCIconnected

What have you been up to during the pandemic? Send photos and/or words about your activities, workstation, volunteering or academic adventures to marketing@uci.edu or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.