Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Wednesday, March 17, 2021 COVID-19 Updates

University News

Vaccine Update — ALL Mississippians now eligible for COVID-19 Vaccines
Gov. Tate Reeves and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announced earlier this week that all Mississippi residents are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (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: 
As of March 17 at 5 p.m., the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduler is showing appointments are available at drive-thru vaccination sites across the state, including approximately 1,000 in Lafayette County, 3,000 in Panola County and 700 in Lee County.
 
University Vaccine Site
The university opened a vaccination site on campus at the Tad Smith Coliseum that serves only University of Mississippi employees (faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduate student workers) at this time. Working with MSDH and the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), the university received 1,170 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on March 12 to administer to its employees. The first vaccines were given on Friday, March 12, and appointments continue this week ending on Friday, March 19. All appointments for the week have been reserved. As of Wednesday, March 17, the university had administered 708 vaccines.
The university requested additional vaccine supply from MSDH and will notify the campus if more appointments become available. We encourage everyone to get a vaccine at their earliest convenience through any vaccination site.
New Blog: How We All Get to the Finish Line … Together
Dr. Jean Gispen, staff physician with Employee Health, shared a new blog about COVID-19 vaccines, including updated guidance from the CDC about gathering after you’ve been fully vaccinated. As usual, she approaches the topic from the lens of her childhood and with a healthy dose of humor and perspective.
Upcoming Dates for Free Asymptomatic Testing
The university’s free asymptomatic testing is available at the University-Oxford Depot on the following days and times:
  • Thursday, March 18: 1–5 p.m.
  • Monday, March 22: 1–5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 23: 1–5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 24: 8:30 a.m.–12 noon
To schedule your test:
  1. Text “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR click on this link
  2. Complete the Testing Intake Form
  3. You will receive a confirmation # to present at the testing site
  4. Bring your University-affiliated ID any day, any time during testing hours that week.
University COVID-19-Related News Stories

Students

Upcoming Events
Check out some upcoming events. See more registered student events in The ForUM.
OFF to the Drive-In
  • March 19, 7 p.m. — “Legally Blonde” and “Clueless”
  • March 20, 7 p.m. — Clueless” and “Legally Blonde”
Buy tickets here. 

Other Things to Know

CDC News and Resources
Mississippi News and Resources
National News Stories and Other Resources
On the Lighter Side
Quick Links
Studies and Surveys
  • College Student COVID-19 Impact Survey: 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/