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