The message below was sent by Eleanor JB Daugherty, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, to students on all campuses on December 1, 2021
Subject: Welcoming YOU back (but not COVID 19...)
Hi Huskies,
Let me first warmly say: welcome back!!!
Whether turkey is your thing or not, I truly hope you had some time to relax, sleep in, feast in the company of loved ones, and celebrate all of your hard work this semester.
Now, about that other thing: a new variant. Omicron. Thank you, Covid.
It’s not in the US just yet but we know how this goes and we know what to do: masking, testing when we are sick, and, of course, vaccinations and boosters.
So, let’s talk through that a bit and how I imagine the rest of the semester will pan out:
First, the testing results over the course of the last two weeks are a bit concerning. As you will note on the dashboard, we are reporting more than 20 Storrs students who tested positive from November 18 to December 1. In addition to those results, 10 additional students reported positive test results while away from campus for the Thanksgiving holiday.
That is a notable increase in comparison to our past positivity over the course of the semester. Most of those students told us of their positive test results before they returned to campus and they are isolating at home. We wish them a speedy recovery.
In the meantime, we know what to do:
Monitoring:
- The SHaW medical team and I will be closely watching test results as well as what we learn through contact tracing and wastewater sampling to determine if we are experiencing an outbreak and if we need to contain spread. Yes, this could mean residential quarantines and increased testing in areas where we see a high presence of COVID. Additional testing and possibly residential quarantine could occur even if you are vaccinated.
- It is too soon to say if that is necessary at this time. But it’s possible and I don’t want you to be surprised. I will update you as soon as I know more.
Prevention:
- Not getting COVID-19 is important. We want, as always, to protect ourselves and others. We do that best when we are vaccinated (thank you, Huskies) and, as you become eligible, getting boosters. Check out the SHaW website to determine when you are eligible for a booster or third dose.
- Booster clinics for Storrs students are occurring every Tuesday on the Storrs campus through the end of the semester and will resume in the Spring term. Appointments for boosters may be scheduled through the SHaW Patient Portal.
- Regional students are also eligible for boosters and may schedule through the Connecticut Vaccine Portal.
- Wear a mask indoors (please, thank you)
- Take care of yourself: If you are feeling sick, please contact the SHaW advice nurse at 860-486-4700 or your health provider to discuss testing for COVID-19.
- Eat healthy food and get plenty of rest. If you are facing food insecurity, we have staff here to help. Storrs students should reach out to the Dean of Students Office to learn about how to access campus and local resources. Regional Campus students should contact the Student Services staff at their home campus to learn about food assistance options in the local communities.
This is not new to us. We do what we do: care for one another. Winter and the increased time we all spend indoors makes it all the more important that we follow those preventative measures and take good care of ourselves and others.
Be well, Huskies. I’ll be in touch.
All my best,
Eleanor JB Daugherty, EdD
she/her/hers
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
For more information, contact: Janice Canniff at janice.canniff@uconn.edu