Sept. 16 - Alliance for a Latinx Thriving University, California has lowest transmission in the nation
Section 1
University Hills Community Center, early morning light. Photo by Ian Parker
Each day, a UCI expert will answer one of your questions about COVID-19, vaccinations, variants or the future of work. Submit questions via email.
Today’s question is answered by David Souleles, COVID-19 Response Team Director:
Why are only those who are unvaccinated required to complete weekly asymptomatic testing?
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and employees will be tested. UCI is requiring all unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students, faculty and staff to be tested weekly for the virus that causes COVID-19. A sampling of fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff will test asymptomatically weekly as well. Students, faculty and staff will be contacted directly if they are required to test in a particular week. This sampling includes 25% of fully vaccinated undergraduate students living in on-campus housing and 5% of the remaining fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff. Additionally, asymptomatic testing for any UCI student, faculty, or staff member is available on a drop-in or appointment basis for any reason. You do not have to be a part of the required testing program to access testing by drop-in or appointment. Information on the UCI COVID-19 Asymptomatic Testing Program can be found on the UCI Forward site: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/testing-response/testing.php.
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Serving UCI’s Latino community
UCI was first designated a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution in 2017, after enrollment of Latino students reached 25.7 percent. Four years later, this commitment has not wavered. Most recently, UCI trustees initiated the UCI Orange County Alliance for a Latinx Thriving University, which works with academic schools and existing educational programs across campus to increase mentorships, internships and scholarships for UCI’s Latino population.
Disability Services Center has new location
The Disability Services Center has moved to Continuing Education 3, Building 234 on Pereira Dr. See the new location on a map. Visit the Contact DSC page for pictures and details about the new location.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
California has less COVID-19 transmission than any state
That’s according to federal officials, who on Wednesday ranked the state’s current coronavirus case rate the lowest in the nation. The mask mandates and other measures are to credit, but most deserving of thanks is the Golden State’s high level of vaccinations. More than 82 percent of Californians aged 12 and older have at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
Test positivity rates by ZIP code in Orange County
The map below is from the OC Health Care Agency’s dashboard update on Wednesday and shows coronavirus test positivity rates by ZIP code. Case rates and testing positivity are updated each Wednesday.
EVENTS
Anteater Involvement Fair
Monday, 11 a.m. (sponsored by the Office of Campus Organizations)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Orange County Democrats celebrate recall victory as Republicans look to the future
Spectrum News 1, Sept. 15
Cited: Louis DeSipio, a political science professor
CDC Says COVID, Flu Vaccines Can Be Co-Administered
Medscape, Sept. 16
Cited: Andrew Noymer, associate professor, Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention
UCI to welcome inaugural Pharm.D. class with white coat ceremony
Drug Store News, Sept. 14
Cited: Jan Hirsch, founding dean of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and clinical pharmacy professor
COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES
No new campus cases
There were no new on-campus cases reported Wednesday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.
Remember to upload your vaccine record
Vaccination is a critical step toward our campus's fall return. Help our community by uploading your vaccine record.
Potential workplace exposure
UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.
For COVID-19 questions
UCI Forward - information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health
UCI Coronavirus Response Center - available at covid19@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-9918
Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services - assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads; available at contacttracing@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-2300
Program in Public Health chatline - answers to questions about COVID-19
For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.