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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The University of Mississippi

  • COVID-19 Information
    • About Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
    • Support within the UM community
    • How Can I Help?
    • Where can I get tested in Oxford?
    • Report a Positive COVID-19 Test
  • Asymptomatic Testing
  • Vaccination
  • Campus Plan
    • Future Planning Task Force
    • Public Education and Awareness
  • FAQs
  • Resources
    • Contacts
  • Students, faculty, and staff wearing masks across campus.
Students in masks practicing their flag routine for bandStudents
Faculty member in masks teaching outside in the grassFaculty
Staff in mask on phone for covid questionsStaff
 

Site last updated April 12, 2021 at 10:02 pm

Most recently updated information:
  • Confirmed Cases Reported to UM | Modified: April 12, 2021 at 10:02 pm
  • CARES Act | Modified: April 10, 2021 at 4:42 pm
  • Asymptomatic Testing | Modified: April 7, 2021 at 3:46 pm

Latest Updates

SCHEDULE NOW! MORE ON-CAMPUS VACCCINE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

The university is booking appointments to administer Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 SINGLE-dose vaccines at the Tad Smith Coliseum for faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students on the Oxford campus, while supplies last. To make an appointment, please visit the university’s appointment scheduling site. The vaccine will be administered free of charge.

  • Tuesday, April 13: 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
  • Thursday, April 15: 1:30–4:30 p.m.

For questions about logistics, scheduling and other FAQs, please see UM’s vaccination appointments FAQs, call the Ole Miss info line at (662) 915-3600 or email c19@olemiss.edu.

Vaccine Update — ALL Mississippians now eligible for COVID-19 Vaccines

Gov. Tate Reeves and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announced that the state is now giving COVID-19 vaccines to all Mississippi residents (note that the vaccines are indicated for those 16 and older, depending on which vaccine you receive). Individuals are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment through one of the following:
  • MSDH COVID-19 Vaccination Drive-Thru Scheduler application
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center, 877-978-6453 or 601-965-4071, or
  • Local Vaccination Providers

Update on Campus Guidance and Protocols

On March 3, Chancellor Boyce shared an update about COVID-19 campus guidance and protocols in light of the new state and local orders issued this week.
  • The university will continue to require all people to wear a cloth face covering or mask for the rest of the Spring 2021 semester in classroom settings and office settings.
  • In addition, masks continue to be required while traversing public spaces in libraries, residence halls, dining facilities, the Student Union, Campus Rec, retail spaces and other on-campus facilities.
  • We continue to promote good hand hygiene and distancing protocols for indoor spaces.
  • In outdoor areas of campus, social distancing of at least six feet continues to be strongly recommended as well as wearing a mask when you cannot maintain distance unless the protocols for the outdoor venue differ.
Read the complete message.

Fall 2021 Announcement

On Feb. 26, Chancellor Boyce shared that the university will offer the Fall 2021 semester as a full in-person, campus experience. He also shared that the university will continue to monitor the health and safety of our campus community and adapt if necessary to government orders and public health guidance. Read the full message.

Kroger Offering Vaccine Appointments

Kroger grocery stores are now offering appointments for individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Kroger’s website currently shows appointments at the Oxford Kroger (2013 University Avenue, 662-236-6811) as well as other stores in the state (Tupelo, Columbus, Starkville and Corinth). Visit the Kroger website for more information including eligibility and appointment availability.

MSDH Expanded COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

MSDH Health Alert: Beginning March 1, 2021, all teachers/staff/employees in K-12, preschool or childcare settings, and all first responders (including law enforcement, public safety, fire services and emergency management officials) will be added to the groups eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in Mississippi.

Updated COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

In alignment with the Mississippi State Department of Health, the university is updating it’s quarantine guidance for fully vaccinated persons after exposure to COVID-19 infected individuals as follows: Persons who are fully vaccinated (≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine), are within 3 months of completing vaccine at time of exposure and who remain asymptomatic are not required to quarantine after COVID-19 exposure.

Spring 2021 Events and Extracurricular Activities

On Feb. 18, the university shared a letter about student activities including the wide range of current events and activities, how to stay plugged into campus life and next steps for expanding engagement opportunities safely for Spring 2021.

Asymptomatic Testing Canceled This Week

Due to winter weather and the resulting closure of the UM Oxford campus on Thursday (2/18) and Friday (2/19), the university’s Asymptomatic Testing this week is canceled. Testing will resume next week at the University-Oxford Depot on the regularly scheduled days:

  • Monday and Tuesday from 1–5 p.m.
  • Wednesday from 8:30 a.m.–12 noon

New Blog by Dr. Gispen — Positive Vaccine Side Effects: Hugging and Herd Immunity

Dr. Jean Gispen, staff physician with Employee Health, has written a new blog that shares additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine with a healthy dose of her sense of humor and perspective.

Walmart Locations Offering Vaccine Appointments

Beginning February 9, select Walmart locations around the state will be receiving COVID-19 vaccine. Make a vaccination appointment online at https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302 (Requires creation of free Walmart account).

  • List of Walmart pharmacies providing COVID-19 vaccinations PDF
  • Make a vaccination appointment at a Walmart pharmacy

New Asymptomatic Testing Location 

Due to winter weather, beginning Feb. 8 and until further notice, the university’s Asymptomatic Testing will transition from drive-through testing in the Ford Center parking lot to walk-in testing at the University-Oxford Depot, which is located in the lower parking lot, north of the Ford Center. The facility includes an ADA compliant access ramp, and designated parking will be provided for individuals getting tested. All other details of the testing program remain the same.

MSDH Vaccine Second Doses

MSDH shared that second-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments will now be made through instructions in your first-dose confirmation e-mail. If you have already been vaccinated, watch for an e-mail message with instructions on scheduling your second appointment. For assistance, call 877-978-6453.

International Restrictions and Travel Guidelines

The Office of Global Engagement is providing up-to-date information about university travel including traveler requirements and study abroad planning by country.
 

Vaccine Resource: Mythbusters

Be sure to check out the COVID-19 Mythbusters document to learn more about the vaccine.

Free Asymptomatic Testing Continues

The university continues to offer free COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic (i.e., without symptoms) faculty, staff and students in the Ford Center media parking lot through our partnership with Premier Medical Group. Testing will be offered each week on the following days and times:
  • Monday, 1–5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 1–5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.–12 noon

No need to complete a survey. You simply fill out your paperwork, show up and get tested — it’s that easy! Here’s how to schedule your test:

  1. Text “2020” to 833-991-3009, click this LINK OR scan this QR code:
    QR Code
  2. Complete the Testing Intake Form
  3. You will receive a confirmation # to present at the testing site
  4. Show up during the testing hours for that day
  5. Bring your UM-affiliated ID
Win prizes and get free Ole Miss swag! In addition to identifying asymptomatic cases, testing enables us to maintain, and possibly expand, on-campus operations activities. Information about positivity rate, participation, and number of asymptomatic cases will facilitate informed, data-driven decisions about social events and activities. See additional information on this page.

MSDH COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

The MS State Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available for the following populations:

  • All Healthcare Workers and EMTs / paramedics
  • All persons 65 years of age or older
  • Persons 18-64 years of age who have underlying medical conditions*

Individuals from these groups are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment through one of the following contacts:

  • MSDH COVID-19 Vaccination Drive-Through Scheduler application
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center, 877-978-6453 or 601-965-4071, or
  • Local Vaccination Providers

Please note that the state will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination appointments at MSDH drive through sites based on the number of vaccines allocated to the state of Mississippi each week by the federal government. The number of vaccines that Mississippi receives varies from week to week. This impacts appointment availability.

*Underlying medical conditions as follows: cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Down syndrome, heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies), immunocompromised from solid organ transplant, obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2), pregnancy, sickle cell disease, smoking, diabetes, or other medical conditions determined by the medical provider.

COVID-19 Free Testing

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has FREE testing available for college and university students, faculty and staff. This offer includes symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. You can be tested free of charge at any county health department testing locations listed on this page, or daily at the free testing site in Jackson. Testing is offered at these locations only on scheduled days (see complete list of locations and testing days here). You will need to make an appointment before you visit by filling out an online questionnaire. You will receive an appointment regardless of whether you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is infected. When completing the online questionnaire, if you are asymptomatic be sure to provide answers through the fourth question, which asks, “Are you a student, faculty, or staff member of a Mississippi college or university?” When you respond “yes,” you will have options to choose a location and select a date and time.

Need to report your positive COVID-19 result over the weekend or after business hours? There are two ways you can accomplish this.

  1. Download the Everbridge App and select the Report Positive COVID-19 button. Then scan or take a picture of your results and upload it to our HIPAA compliant UMBOX. Only University Health Services personnel will be able to view your documentation.
  2. Fill out the UHS Self Report form, scan or take a picture of your results and upload both the form and your results to our HIPAA compliant UMBOX. Only University Health Services personnel will be able to view your documentation.

Answering your questions

  • UM COVID-19 Info Line (Available: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)  662-915-3600
  • UM COVID-19 Email: C19@olemiss.edu
  • Baptist Memorial Hospital, North Mississippi 24-hour Hotline: (866) 941-4785
  • MS State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 877-978-6453

Healthcare Concerns

For medical attention, students should call Student Health Services at 662-915-7274. Employee should call 662-915-6550.

Workplace Considerations

UM Human Resources has shared the following guidance with employees.

Academic Continuity

UM faculty are encouraged to use the following guidance to continue to work flexibly, quickly, and collaboratively.

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