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.”
If you need additional masks or self-tests for COVID, both items are available to pick up on campus. While masks are no longer required anywhere on UMW property, except healthcare settings (Student Health Center, Talley Center for Counseling Services, Athletic Training room), masks are recommended when in close proximity of others for a prolonged period of time, particularly indoors when the community level is medium or high, as recommended by the CDC. The CDC provides further guidance that people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. If you test positive, please self-report a case using the online form and isolate following CDC guidelines.
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 are also monitoring the latest data and information about the spread of monkeypox, and working in partnership with the Rappahannock Area Health District. For information on monkeypox transmission, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s monkeypox website, call the VDH hotline at 877-829-4682, or visit the CDC monkeypox transmission website.
The VDH notes that while monkeypox cases have been recorded in the commonwealth, the risk to the general public is considered low at this time. Anyone can get and spread monkeypox; however, it is spread by close contact with an infected person, not through casual conversations or brief interactions. If you are concerned about an exposure or suspect symptoms of monkeypox, please contact your healthcare provider. For additional prevention measures, visit VDH’s prevention and vaccination website.
Take care,
UMW’s Public Health Advisory Working Group