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 20 - Updates on COVID-19

Section 1

CAMPUS SNAPSHOT

A wall of the construction for the new housing complex across from Verano taken at dusk. Photo credit: Karma Rose Zavita M.S., Doctoral Student, Criminology, Law and Society.

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

Weekly all-student COVID-19 testing begins - Saturday appointments available

Weekly testing for all student residents begins on Monday, October 26 and continues until further notice. Students can now schedule recurring weekly appointments. Saturday appointments are now available 8 a.m.-1 p.m. starting October 24 at the Division of Continuing Education (DCE).

Positive cases

No new positive cases were reported yesterday. Visit the UCI dashboard daily to view the latest stats on testing, case counts, recoveries and isolation beds available.

What to do when someone is violating COVID restrictions

While it is expected that each individual will assume personal responsibility to help protect the UCI community, it is also understood that mistakes and lapses in compliance or intentional non-compliance may occur. Generally, issues with compliance should be addressed with care and understanding. The overarching goal when addressing non-compliance is to de-escalate rather than intensify a situation. Non-compliance response procedures are posted for students, faculty and other academics, staff and vendors.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

ZotTube - Student interviews Vice Chancellor Willie Banks

In this 13-minute video interview on ZotTube, UCI student Janncarlo Flores, a 3rd year biomedical engineering major, speaks with Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Willie Banks about how the UCI administration and students have worked together to thwart COVID-19, and what students should do to keep the virus at bay this fall quarter.

UCI Health names operations and finance executives

UCI Health named Nasim Afsar chief operating officer and Charles ‘Chuck’ Orlando as chief financial officer.

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
  

OC health officials look to advancing from red to orange tier

As OC works to enter to the orange tier in the Governor’s new equity metrics, OC Health officials discuss additional PPE for skilled nursing facilities and promote a virtual and stay-at-home Halloween celebration.

Hate crimes in OC spiking

Orange County’s hate crimes are up 89 percent since 2015. That’s the conclusion of the new annual report from the county’s Human Relations Commission, scheduled to be released this evening. County officials and an expert on extremism plan to discuss the findings, as well as an uptick of hate incidents against Asian-Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, at a webinar this evening as they publish the report.

California ranks in 90th percentile for wearing masks

Studies show that California is the highest self-reported state to wear face coverings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Newsom on vaccine distribution in CA

Governor Gavin Newsom announces the state has put together a “Scientific Safety Review” panel of 11 health experts who will review the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and spelled out the expected “mass availability” timeline.

Gun sales in CA have surged during pandemic

Gun sales have spiked in California during the coronavirus pandemic, a new study has found, mirroring national trends that show firearm purchases at some of the highest rates ever, largely fueled by concerns over the pandemic and recent civil unrest.

California accommodates maskless voters on election day

Voters who show up in Orange County without a mask will be put in a booth away from other voters. Los Angeles County will escort maskless voters to an outdoor area and in San Bernardino and Riverside, face shields will be offered to those around an unmasked person.

Older men who have recovered from COVID-19 are most promising plasma donors

A new study from Johns Hopkins states older men who have recovered from severe cases of COVID-19 have higher levels of antibodies and may soon be in demand as plasma donors.

Turkey farmers fear they’ve bred too many big birds

Social distancing and travel challenges may mean smaller holiday gatherings this November, causing havoc for turkey farmers, processors and retailers.

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. 
  

How did you spend your COVID summer?

This engineering student built a giant slip ‘n slide in an effort to break a world record.

#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.