26 February 2021
The number of COVID-19 cases at the University of Wyoming during the spring semester has so far been significantly lower than the fall semester, in line with a trend of declining cases in the state and country.
Of the total of 1,994 cases reported among employees and students of UW since the onset of the pandemic, 179 have been reported so far this calendar year. Although UW continued a rigorous testing program this semester, the positivity rate during the first five weeks was significantly lower than during the same period in the fall.
For example, while sample prevalence rose from 0.34 percent in the first week of the fall semester to 0.85 percent in week five, it dropped from 0.34 percent in the first week of the spring semester to 0.07 percent in week five.
As of Thursday, the number of active cases stood at six – two students on campus and four students off campus. The number of people in 14-day quarantine due to exposure to the virus is 15 – 12 students on campus, and three students and employees off campus.
“This is a dramatic, positive change, and I want to thank the entire UW family for their contribution to making our community safer – both those who participate responsibly in the testing and those who work endlessly to manage the process,” UW President Ed Seidel says. ‘We know that our requirements for testing, physical distance, wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings have required a lot from our community. But our students, faculty, and staff have shown true UW Cowboy spirit in compliance, and these measures have helped us get to where we are today. ”
UW’s surveillance program, one of the most innovative in the country, conducted a total of 116,153 tests with 1,277 positive results, with an incidence of 1.11 percent. So far this month, however, there have been only 60 positive results among 29,325 tests, with an incidence of 0.20 percent.
Public health experts say compliance with COVID-19 requirements and guidelines is essential to continue the trend.
“This is not the time to wake us up,” Seidel said. “The virus is still there, and we can see a resurgence if we conclude that this battle is over and stop doing what we do.”
UW is planning for an autumn 2021 semester with more personal experiences and fewer constraints regarding COVID-19, depending on the availability and acceptance of vaccines, along with the continuing downward trend in infection rates.
According to the plan, UW faculty and staff members must have access to the vaccine at least six weeks before the scheduled 23 August start of the autumn semester, so that the semester can continue with maximum capacity with face-to-face classes. , personal engagement programs for students, personal athletics experiences and the like. In addition, the relaxation of the Wyoming Department of Health Rules and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers is needed. The effectiveness and acceptance of vaccines – at this stage at least 70 percent of the members of your community will need to be vaccinated to reach the required levels of immunity – and the COVID-19 infection rates will also be taken into account.
University leaders expect to have enough information on the issues in early June to be able to make a final decision on the approach to autumn.
UW is partnering with Albany County Public Health and Ivinson Memorial Hospital to administer vaccines to residents of the country that fall into Category 4-6 of the Phase 1b priority schedule in the Wyoming Department of Health’s distribution guidelines. It is not yet known when Albany County will begin Phase 1c, but UW faculty and staff members, along with residence students, will fall under the phase. All students will be encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as possible based on their current location.
More information about UW’s COVID-19 response can be found at www.uwyo.edu/campus-return, which is updated as information becomes available. Those with questions about testing and other issues with COVID-19 can call (307) 766-COVD (2683) or email [email protected].
Questions specific about the vaccine should be emailed to [email protected]. A UW vaccine website has been set up at www.uwyo.edu/alerts/campus-return/vaccination.