Dear UMW Community,
With the start of classes this week, we’ve received a few questions about COVID protocols and want to share reminders about ways to stay well this fall. Our COVID information and resources are now available on the Student Health Center website.
The Student Health Center will continue to provide information and guidance on COVID and other respiratory illnesses, including reminders of proactive and precautionary measures, updates on quarantine and isolation instructions, and vaccine clinics in the fall. We have discontinued isolation spaces on campus, which were available during the height of the pandemic. If you test positive for COVID, you should contact your healthcare provider and follow the latest CDC guidance on isolation. We also recommend that you have a few self-tests available should you experience symptoms or have an exposure to COVID.
You no longer need to report cases to the University, but we encourage you to stay home or go home if you are sick following the guidance of the CDC and your healthcare provider for any illness. You’ll need to continue to communicate with your instructors or supervisors to make up assignments or make alternate arrangements when you miss class or work.
As the public health emergency for COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023, we archived many of the pages of the UMW COVID website and concluded the weekly updates. You’ll hear from us when new resources or guidance is available or when there are significant updates from the CDC. In addition, we’ll provide public health updates when there are new programs or opportunities such as the initiatives below.
- This fall, UMW added TimelyCare to expand mental health services for our students. The virtual service, available to students via a website or an app, offers on-demand options to students beyond the in-person hours of the Talley Center for Counseling Services. TimelyCare uses single sign-on so students can easily access it with your UMW NetID, but note you’ll need to complete an info form the first time you log-in. An FAQ is also available for students, families, and faculty and staff to share information about this service.
- All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs). Included are up to four sessions at no charge for such services as mental health, alcohol or drug abuse assessment, child or elder care, grief counseling and legal or financial services.
- The Student Health Center is collaborating with Giant Pharmacy to offer on-campus vaccine clinics this fall. The clinics are open to students, faculty, and staff with no appointment needed. Vaccines for flu, COVID, shingles, meningitis, pneumonia and tetanus will be available, typically at no cost with most insurance. For more information call the Student Health Center at 540-654-1040 or contact Associate Director Rene Sanders at rsanders@umw.edu. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Aug. 23; Tuesday, Sept. 19; Thursday, Oct. 26; or Wednesday, Nov. 15. The vaccine clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each date in the Cedric Rucker University Center.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group