Campus Protocol Shifts to Mask Optional
Effective March 2, face coverings are required only on transportation networks (mandated by the Transportation Security Administration) and in healthcare settings such as University Health Services and University Counseling Center, regardless of vaccination status.
Face coverings are optional in all other indoor spaces, including classrooms, laboratories, studios, residence halls, libraries, dining facilities, the Student Union, Campus Recreation facilities, retail spaces, offices, conference rooms or extracurricular activities held in indoor on-campus spaces.
Faculty and staff may continue to require face coverings for visits to their private offices.
Students: Apply Now for HEERF III Funds
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is available this semester to students with financial need. Apply now!
Free COVID-19 Testing Continues at Depot
Get a free COVID-19 PCR test at the University-Oxford Depot on campus by texting “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR clicking on this link: University-Oxford Depot. Testing is offered Monday through Friday, 3-7 p.m., and Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.
Featured FAQ: Who can receive treatment for COVID-19 and where? According to MSDH, people who test positive for COVID-19 with mild to moderate symptoms who are at higher risk for developing more serious COVID-19 symptoms may be eligible for monoclonal antibody or oral antiviral treatment, depending on their health history and exposure to COVID-19, and how long they’ve had symptoms of COVID-19.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, contact your doctor or a healthcare provider about receiving treatment with monoclonal antibodies or find a pharmacy that can fill a prescription for oral antiviral medication.
- List of Mississippi monoclonal antibody treatment providers
- List of Mississippi pharmacies that dispense oral antivirals
News Stories and Resources
- RECOVER explores Long COVID (UMMC)
- Transcript for CDC media telebriefing: Update on COVID-19 (CDC)
- HHS distributing $560 million in provider relief fund payments to health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (HHS)
- Americans can order another round of free at-home Covid-19 tests next week (CNN)
- FDA issues warnings about 3 at-home COVID tests that could pose risk of ‘false results’ (NBC)
- ‘Test to Treat’ Program aims to make antivirals quicker to access (KHN)
COVID-19 Data
- MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi (as of March 1):
- 448 new cases, 15 new deaths and 84 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Mississippi Vaccination Report (as of March 2):
- 3,737,004 total doses administered; 1,736,358 people receiving at least one dose; and 1,518,309 people fully vaccinated.
- Lafayette County: 71,946 Total Doses Administered; 29,538 People Fully Vaccinated, 55% of Total Population Fully Vaccinated.
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