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