COVID-19 Weekly Digest

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 COVID-19 Updates

· Jan 14, 2021 ·

Editor’s Note: We are sharing this abbreviated version of the COVID-19 newsletter to provide an update on recent developments relevant for the university community. The regular publication of the newsletter will resume Jan. 20, 2021.

Please see the message below from the Mississippi State Department of Health providing an update on the status of the vaccine distribution plan for Mississippi:

JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi State Department of Health had a vaccine distribution plan in place that has been significantly altered in the last few days – especially in the last 24 hours. Neither the county health department drive-through sites, nor the UMMC vaccine scheduling website was designed to accommodate the monumental surge we are currently experiencing. At this time, we have no additional vaccine, and every appointment is tied to an actual vaccination.

The Mississippi State Department of Health hopes to receive a large shipment of vaccine in mid-February that should help put additional shots in people’s arms. We understand the frustration brought on by this sudden change of plans. We will certainly keep all Mississippians updated regarding additional vaccine.

Mississippians should understand that we can only vaccinate residents based on vaccine availability. We will open additional vaccination appointments as we receive more vaccine.

In the meantime, all Mississippians – whether vaccinated or not – should continue to follow protective guidelines. Especially avoid any social gatherings. And always wear a mask.

UMMC has provided a comment on its Facebook page regarding the Vaccine Scheduler.

Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

This is a fluid situation. The UM Vaccination Planning and Administration Task Force continues to prepare to administer vaccines as soon as we receive them. We will notify you if circumstances change and when we receive them.

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 COVID-19 Updates

· Jan 14, 2021 ·

Vaccine Update — Persons 65 years of age or older and those 18–64 with underlying medical conditions now eligible

Gov. Tate Reeves and the Mississippi State Department of Health Services (MSDH) announced today (Jan. 12) that the state is now giving COVID-19 immunizations for the following populations:

All Healthcare Workers and EMTs / paramedics
NEW — All persons 65 years of age or older
NEW — Persons 18-64 years of age who have underlying medical conditions (see list below)

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 (The site may experience high-volume traffic at this time)
COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center, 877-978-6453 or 601-965-4071 (Call Center is experiencing high call volume at this time), or
Local Vaccination Providers

Please note the following items related to COVID-19 immunizations:

The COVID-19 vaccination is a two-dose series.
- For the Pfizer vaccine, the second dose is due 21 days or after.
- For the Moderna vaccine, the second dose is due 28 days or after.
The COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are not interchangeable. The second dose in the two-dose series must be the same manufacturer/type of vaccine as the first.
Please schedule your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the same facility in which you received your first dose.
If you have questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact 877-978-6453.

Individuals between 18-64 years of age are eligible now if they have any of the following underlying medical conditions:

Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Down Syndrome
Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or greater)
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease
Smoking
Diabetes
Other medical conditions as determined by your medical provider

For additional information, visit the university’s vaccination information page.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021 COVID-19 Updates

· Jan 14, 2021 ·

Editor’s Note: We are sharing this abbreviated version of the COVID-19 newsletter to provide an update on recent developments relevant for the university community. The regular issues of the newsletter will resume Jan. 20, 2021.

UM Vaccine Update

The university has formed a Vaccine Distribution and Administration Task Force and established a vaccination information page on the COVID-19 site with latest updates, FAQs and resources.

Recent Mississippi Developments

The State of Mississippi is following a phased approach to prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations. As the state receives its COVID-19 vaccine allocations, the MS State Department of Health will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations based on the current phase(s). Each phase balances the protection of those most at risk from COVID-19 with the protection of those who maintain essential functions of the community such as healthcare, education, law enforcement, food supply and transportation.

The state of Mississippi is currently giving COVID-19 immunizations at MSDH COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the state for the following:

All Healthcare Workers and EMT / paramedics
Persons age 75 and older

Individuals from these groups are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment through the MSDH COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Through Scheduler application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current status of vaccine rollout in Mississippi?

Currently, the Mississippi State Department of Health vaccine rollout is in Phase 1a, which includes all healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents.

Health departments across the state are allowing healthcare providers to sign up for drive-thru vaccinations.
They are also vaccinating all long-term care facility residents with the help of pharmacies.
Beginning January 6, 2021, persons 75 years of age and older will be able to schedule appointments at MSDH COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the state.
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state health officer, announced on Jan. 4, 2021, that they are working to allow Phase 1b to have access to the drive-thru sites in the coming weeks, which according to the phased rollout, University of Mississippi faculty and staff would qualify for.

Will the University of Mississippi serve as a vaccination site?

The university has signed up as a vaccination site, and as soon as we are given the greenlight to start receiving the vaccine, we will begin administering to our population via Operation Immunization like we do for flu each year. A Vaccine Distribution and Administration Task Force has been formed to handle the logistics.

How will the campus be notified of vaccine updates and availability?

Any updates or new information will be pushed out through normal UM communications including the COVID-19 weekly newsletter. You can also check out the vaccine information page dedicated to our vaccine rollout plan. As with everything during the pandemic, information is constantly and rapidly changing, and we are doing our best to adapt and keep our community informed.

Thursday, December 10, 2020 COVID-19 Updates

· Jan 14, 2021 ·

Editor’s Note: We are sharing this abbreviated version of the COVID-19 newsletter to provide an update on recent developments relevant for the university community.

Updated quarantine guidance from MSDH

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) released new guidance earlier this week for options for reduced quarantine period for contacts to COVID-19-infected persons. This new guidance is in alignment with the CDC and shortens the 14-day quarantine period after exposure to a COVID-19 infected individual, based on symptom and/or testing strategies.

MSDH continues to strongly encourage a 14-day quarantine period for individuals who are exposed to a person infected with SARS- CoV-2 (COVID-19), especially household contacts and those in congregate settings. With an understanding of the need to provide alternatives to shorten the quarantine period under certain circumstances, MSDH is modifying the current quarantine recommendations to include the following alternatives.

Acceptable options for reduced quarantine period:

Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring, OR,
If testing is available, quarantine can end after Day 7 if an RT-PCR diagnostic specimen is negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring. The specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation, but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.

Persons can discontinue quarantine at these times only if the following criteria are also met:

No symptoms of COVID-19 have been identified during the entirety of quarantine up to the time at which quarantine is discontinued.
Daily symptom monitoring continues through quarantine Day 14.
Individuals continue to adhere strictly to mask use and physical distancing through quarantine Day 14.
If any symptoms develop, they should immediately self-isolate and receive testing for COVID-19.
A negative test collected prior to 5-7 days should not be used to determine modification of quarantine.

Essential employees may be allowed to work while under quarantine as outlined previously, but should adhere to the following for a full 14-day quarantine period:

Remain asymptomatic.
Daily monitoring of temperature and symptoms.
Always wear a mask while at work.
Essential employees who continue to work should self-quarantine at home at all other times during their quarantine period based on the above options.

Two New Executive Orders from Gov. Tate Reeves

Gov. Tate Reeves issued two new Executive Orders (1535 and 1536) that will go into effect on Friday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. These EO’s replace previous executive orders. Below are highlights from these executive orders, but please visit the links provided to obtain details included in each order.

EO 1535: Statewide updated Safe Recovery Order (EO 1525 repealed)

In effect until Jan. 15, 2021
Group Gatherings (Social Distancing Not Possible): Public and private social gatherings and recreational activities shall be limited to groups of no more than ten (10) people in a single indoor space or groups of no more than fifty (50) people in an outdoor space where individuals not in the same household are in close proximity (less than six feet) to each other. This limitation does not apply to religious entities, voting precincts, students in classrooms or gatherings in facilities or venues governed by other capacity limitations.
Face Coverings: Every person in Mississippi shall wear a face covering, covering the nose and mouth, while inside a school building or classroom, or when outdoors on a school campus whenever it is not possible to maintain a minimum of six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.
- Exceptions listed in the EO
Other items included in the EO:
- Business operations
- Restaurants and bars
- Reception halls and conference centers
- Auditoriums and movie theaters
- Close contact and personal care services
- Outdoor sports complexes and multi-field complexes
- Outdoor arenas
- Indoor arenas
- K-12 organized extracurricular events
- College and university outdoor stadiums
- Hospital capacity

EO 1536: County specific tougher restrictions (EO 1527 repealed, Lafayette still included)

In effect until Jan. 15, 2021
Face Coverings: Every person shall wear a face covering, covering the nose and mouth, when inside a business, school, building or other indoor space open to the public whenever it is not possible to maintain a minimum of six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.
- Exceptions listed in the EO

Free testing from MSDH continues for university employees and students

MSDH offers free universal testing in every county for university students, faculty and staff. This offer includes symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. You can be tested at any county health department testing locations listed on this page, or daily at the free testing site in Jackson.

Appointments in and around the UM community are now available on the days and locations listed below:

DeSoto Co. Health Department: Dec. 11 and 14-18
Lafayette Co. Health Department: Dec. 14 and 16
Lee Co. Health Department: Dec. 11, 14, 16, and 18
Grenada Co. Health Department: Dec. 11 and 16
Marshall Co. Health Department: Dec. 16-17
Panola Co. Health Department: Dec. 17
Pontotoc Co. Health Department: Dec. 15
Union Co. Health Department: Dec. 11 and 16
Yalobusha Co. Health Department: Dec. 17

You must 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. If you are asymptomatic when completing the questionnaire, 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.

Corrected link for MSDH Health Alert for avoiding social or public gatherings

In the Dec. 2 issue of the COVID-19 newsletter, we included information about a Health Alert from MSDH urging all Mississippi residents to avoid any social or public gathering with anyone outside of their nuclear family or household. The link to the full Health Alert for the specific details was incorrect, so we wanted to share the correct link:

https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/resources/11728.pdf

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 COVID-19 Updates

· Dec 2, 2020 ·

University News

Lafayette County added to Gov. Reeves’s mask mandate, tougher restrictions

Gov. Tate Reeves issued Executive Order (EO) 1532 that added Lafayette County to the list of counties with jurisdiction-specific measures to address and limit person-to-person contact plus other health and safety measures to disrupt the spread of the COVID-19 virus. EO 1532 will remain in effect until Dec. 11.

Face Coverings: Every person shall wear a face covering, covering the nose and mouth, when inside a business, school, building or other indoor space open to the public whenever it is not possible to maintain a minimum of six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household. See Executive Order 1527 for a list of exceptions.
Group Gatherings (Social Distancing IS NOT Possible): Public and private social gatherings and recreational activities shall be limited to groups of no more than 10 people in a single indoor space or groups of no more than 50 people in an outdoor space where individuals not in the same household are in close proximity (less than 6 feet) to each other. This limitation does not apply to religious entities, voting precincts, students in classrooms or gatherings governed by other capacity limitations contained in Executive Order 1525.

On-campus food service this week

Wednesday, Nov. 25

Rebel Market: Closed
Marketplace: 7 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–8 p.m.
Grill@1810: 6:30 a.m.–10 a.m.
Chick-fil-A (Student Union): 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 26

Rebel Market: Closed
Marketplace: 7 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–8 p.m.
Grill@1810: Closed
Chick-fil-A (Student Union): Closed

Friday, Nov. 27

Rebel Market: 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Marketplace: Closed
Grill@1810: Closed
Chick-fil-A (Student Union): 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
McAlisters (Student Union):10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 28

Rebel Market: 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Marketplace: Closed
Grill@1810: Closed
Chick-fil-A (Student Union): 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

Tips for a safe and healthy holiday

Ahead of the upcoming holiday season, University Health Services experts are sharing helpful tips with the university community to keep everyone safe and healthy amid the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Before you travel home or host a gathering, spend a few minutes learning about ways that you and your family can remain safe this holiday season:

University COVID-19-related news stories

Students

End-of-semester message from Chancellor Boyce

ICYMI Chancellor Boyce sent a letter to students on Nov. 17

End-of-semester message from the College of Liberal Arts faculty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQqzMC4pGMA&feature=emb_logo

StudyUSA deadline extended to Dec. 11

Join UM faculty during Wintersession through virtual courses. There are still spots open in ANTH 311 and WRIT 398, GSt 395 for classes that begin Jan. 4. See full details, dates and application.

Faculty and Staff

Parameters and protocols work when we work

Andrea Jekabsons, interim chief human resources officer, shares a new blog about all that has been learned, experienced and practiced this past year in the work world of COVID-19.

MSDH free testing after Thanksgiving

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) offers universal testing in every county 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.

For the week of Nov. 30, appointments in and around the UM community are available on the days and counties listed below:

Lafayette Co. Health Department: Monday, Nov. 30
Lee Co. Health Department: Friday, Nov. 27 and Monday, Nov. 30
Calhoun Co. Health Department: Tuesday, Dec. 1
Pontotoc Co. Health Department: Tuesday, Dec. 1

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. If you are asymptomatic when completing the online questionnaire, 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.

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