Wednesday, January 27, 2021 COVID-19 Updates

University News

• In the United Kingdom (UK), a new variant called B.1.1.7 has emerged with an unusually large number of mutations. This variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. This variant was first detected in September 2020 and is now highly prevalent in London and southeast England. It has since been detected in numerous countries around the world, including the United States and Canada. This strain has been found in at least 21 states, but not Mississippi as of this time.
• In South Africa, another variant called 1.351 has also emerged. This variant, originally detected in early October, shares some mutations with the variant detected in the UK. There have been cases caused by this variant outside of South Africa, but it has not been detected in the US.
• In Brazil, a variant called P.1 emerged and was identified in four travelers from Brazil who were tested during routine screening at Haneda airport outside Tokyo, Japan. This variant contains a set of additional mutations that may affect its ability to be recognized by antibodies. This variant was recently detected in Minnesota, where the state’s health department said it was found in a Minnesota resident who had recently traveled to Brazil.

• Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. These variants of SARS-CoV-2 seem to spread more quickly. Research is ongoing to determine if they are more virulent meaning that they cause more severe illness or are evasive to antibody detection.

• This is a rapidly evolving situation that is being monitored closely by public health officials and government agencies. The best strategy to stop the coronavirus from mutating and developing new variants is by slowing down the transmission of this virus. Ongoing prevention practices such as the 5 W’s will help slow the transmission of COVID-19:
  • Wear masks
  • Wash hands
  • Watch your distance
  • Wait to gather
  • When it’s your turn, get vaccinated.

• UM Shares Update on Commencement Ceremonies for Classes of 2020, 2021
• Task Force Preparing for Campuswide COVID-19 Vaccinations
• Study: Diabetes, COVID-19 combo riskier for Blacks, Hispanics

Students

Faculty and Staff

• If on campus, the employee or student should be discretely separated from others and sent home. If not on campus, the individual should be advised to stay at home.
• All employees or students should be asked to identify 1) any persons in our university community with whom they had contact with recently before the onset of symptoms, and 2) any areas of campus they visited during that time.
• As you engage the student or employee, show empathy but do not provide medical advice. Please advise the student or employee that they may contact the physicians at University Health Services (https://healthcenter.olemiss.edu/) for questions, including guidance on treatment and preventive measures to minimize the risk of infection to others. The telephone number for Student Health is 662-915-7274. The telephone number for Employee Health is 662-915-6550. 
• Note that all students must report positive tests to Student Health and employees must report positive tests to Employee Health, regardless of where the test was performed.
• After speaking to the student or employee, please contact the physicians at Student or Employee Health. The physicians will determine what additional precautions may be warranted, including closing an area and following up with MSDH. You should also alert Facilities Management at 662-915-7003 to determine whether any area of campus must be cleaned or disinfected.

Other Things To Know

• How can families plan a safer spring break? (National Geographic)
  
• Flaming Lips stage unique ‘space bubble’ concert in Oklahoma (BBC)
  
• Time-lapse video of fireflies dancing under vibrant skies at twilight in Brazil’s Pantanal region (National Geographic Instagram)
• Olive and Mabel: Supply chain challenges

• UM Vaccine Information Page
• UM COVID-19 Daily Symptom Checker
• UM confirmed COVID-19 cases among employees and students 
• UM COVID-19 Dashboard
• MSDH Free COVID-19 Testing for faculty, staff and students 
• Information for Students and Families
• Information for Faculty
• Information for Staff
• SAA-sponsored Student Activities Around Campus
• Frequently Asked Questions
• City of Oxford Upcoming Events

• The university is collaborating with researchers at Columbia University on a national College Student COVID-19 Impact Survey to understand how the pandemic has affected undergraduate students’ health and decisions-making. For more information and to take the online survey: https://www.collegecovid19impactstudy.com/