April 28, 2023
Public Health Reminders for Summer
Dear UMW Community,
In recent weeks, the COVID-19 community level has remained low as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.”
As the public health emergency for COVID-19 is scheduled to end on May 11, 2023, we will be archiving many of the pages of the UMW COVID website and reducing the frequency of our campus communications. You’ll hear from us when new resources or guidance is available or when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels.
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 will also be discontinuing isolation spaces on campus, which were available during the height of the pandemic.
You no longer need to report cases to the University, but we encourage you stay 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.
We appreciate your continued attention to monitoring symptoms following CDC recommendations, and we hope you have a wonderful summer and stay well.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group
April 7, 2023
Public Health Reminders for April
Dear UMW Community,
In recent weeks, the COVID-19 community level has remained low as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.”
As we conclude the final month of the spring semester, please take care of yourself. We appreciate your continued attention to monitoring symptoms following CDC recommendations and staying home if you are sick. Get rest, drink plenty of fluids and seek medical attention as needed. Let your professors or supervisors know why you are missing class or work. You’ll need to work with your course faculty to make up missed assignments or make alternate arrangements when you miss class due to illness, and this is particularly important as we approach final assignments and exams.
We’ll continue to provide monthly public health reminders and update campus when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels. You can continue to access frequently asked questions on the COVID website. Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available to pick-up on campus too. Before you throw out “expired” tests, you can also check to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.
Local information about COVID and other respiratory illnesses is available on the Rappahannock Area Health District website, with reminders of practicing healthy habits such as social distancing, masking in high-risk areas, and frequently washing your hands, which may reduce the chance of infection of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
We hope you stay healthy and well this spring.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group
February 24, 2023
Public Health Reminders for Spring Break and March
Dear UMW Community,
This week, the COVID-19 community level is low as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.”
If you are traveling for Spring Break, you may also want to check the community levels in your destination. The CDC answers frequently asked questions about travel, with recommendations for isolation, guidelines for travel after isolation, and guidance on travel after an exposure to COVID-19.
Please stay home if you are sick, and remember to take care of yourself and those around you by monitoring any symptoms and following CDC recommendations. If you are on campus during Spring Break and test positive, please complete the self-report form so we can follow-up to provide guidance and support; however, please note that there are limited options during this time.
We’ll continue to provide monthly public health reminders and update campus when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels. You can continue to access frequently asked questions on the COVID website. Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available to pick-up on campus too. Before you throw out “expired” tests, you can also check to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.
Local information about COVID and other respiratory illnesses is available on the Rappahannock Area Health District website, with reminders of practicing healthy habits such as social distancing, masking in high-risk areas, and frequently washing your hands, which may reduce the chance of infection of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
We hope you stay healthy and well this spring.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group
February 3, 2023
Monthly Public Health Reminders for February
Dear UMW Community,
This week, the COVID-19 community level is medium as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public. If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.”
During the spring semester, we’ll provide monthly public health reminders and update campus when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels. You can continue to access frequently asked questions on the COVID website. Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available to pick-up on campus. Before you throw out “expired” tests, you can also check to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.
Local information about COVID and other respiratory illnesses is available on the Rappahannock Area Health District website, with reminders of practicing healthy habits such as social distancing, masking in high-risk areas, and frequently washing your hands, which may reduce the chance of infection of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
We hope you stay healthy and well this winter and reach out for resources or healthcare services when needed.
The Student Health Center is available at 540-654-1040. Please call to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcomed, and they are first-come, first-serve depending on the schedule. After hours, you can speak with an outside contracted nurse for a medical concern at Fonemed by calling the SHC and pressing 2. In the event of an emergency, call campus police at 540-654-4444.
To get connected to the Talley Center for Counseling Services, including scheduling a mental health appointment, please call 540-654-1053. Additional resources are available on the website. Students can access 24-hour crisis services (though Protocall) by calling the Talley Center at 540-654-1053 after hours and selecting to speak with a crisis counselor.
The Employee Assistance Program is offered to state employees and their dependents through their health insurance, and offers assistance for a variety of concerns such as grief, mental health, elder care, etc. More information is available on the HR website.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group
January 27, 2023
Public Health Reminders and Online Resources from the CDC
Dear UMW Community,
This week, the COVID-19 community level remains low as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.”
Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available to pick-up on campus with more information on the COVID website. Before you throw out “expired” tests, you can also check to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended. You can also use the newly launched COVID-19 Testing Locator website to find additional options. In addition, the CDC provides vaccine locator services, including COVID vaccines and flu vaccines.
UMW continues to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with public health guidance and will provide updates to the campus community when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels. Local information about COVID and other respiratory illnesses is available on the Rappahannock Area Health District website, with reminders of practicing healthy habits such as social distancing, masking in high-risk areas, and frequently washing your hands, which may reduce the chance of infection of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
We appreciate you exercising these practical precautions and staying home if you are sick.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group
January 20, 2023
Public Health Reminders and COVID Tests Available
Dear UMW Community,
This week, the COVID-19 community level remains low as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.”
Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available to pick-up on campus, including the Student Health Center, Eagle Landing, Marye House, the Cedric Rucker University Center Information Desk, the Human Resources office, and the Athletic Training room, with more information on the COVID website. Before you throw out “expired” tests, you can also check to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.
UMW continues to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with public health guidance and will provide updates to the campus community when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels. Local information about COVID and other respiratory illnesses is available on the Rappahannock Area Health District website, with reminders of practicing healthy habits such as social distancing, masking in high-risk areas, and frequently washing your hands, which may reduce the chance of infection of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
We appreciate you exercising these practical precautions and staying home if you are sick.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group
January 13, 2023
Public Health Reminders and Practices
Dear UMW Community,
This week, the COVID-19 community level is low as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.”
Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available to pick-up on campus, with more information on the COVID website. If you test positive for COVID, please self-report a case using the online form and follow CDC guidance. Self-reported COVID cases have increased since the start of the spring semester, and we encourage the campus community to remain diligent in protecting yourself and others.
UMW continues to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with public health guidance and will provide updates to the campus community when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels. Local information about COVID and other respiratory illnesses is available on the Rappahannock Area Health District website, with reminders of practicing healthy habits such as social distancing, masking in high-risk areas, and frequently washing your hands, which may reduce the chance of infection of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
We appreciate you exercising these practical precautions and staying home if you are sick.
Take Care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group
January 6, 2023
Public Health Reminders for the Spring Semester
Dear UMW Community,
This week, the COVID-19 community level is high, as reported on the CDC tracker. Based on this level of transmission, the CDC’s recommended action is to “Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.”
Masks and COVID-19 self-tests are available to pick-up on campus, with more information on the COVID website. If you test positive for COVID, please self-report a case using the online form and follow CDC guidance.
Please stay home if you are sick. If you aren’t feeling well, whether or not you think it’s COVID, please avoid contact with other people. Get rest, drink plenty of fluids and seek medical attention as needed. Let your professors or supervisors know why you are missing class or work. You’ll need to work with your course faculty to make up missed assignments or make alternate arrangements when you miss class due to illness. If you test positive for COVID-19, please review the isolation guidance to implement your plan and pack for the isolation period if you are a residential student.
As we return for the spring semester, all students are strongly encouraged to have an isolation and quarantine plan. For students living on campus, we strongly recommend that those who can travel safely in a private vehicle conduct their period of isolation in their home. For all other residential students, UMW has identified isolation spaces in Marshall Hall, which will be made available at no additional cost to our residential students for the duration of their quarantine/isolation period. These spaces are limited in number and amenities.
UMW continues to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with public health guidance and will provide updates to the campus community when there are significant updates from the CDC or an increase in our community levels. We trust that you continue to monitor your symptoms, stay home when sick, and follow CDC recommendations. Through our individual responsibilities and consideration of the needs of fellow students, staff and faculty, we remain vigilant and very hopeful for the semester and year ahead.
Take care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group