Weekly COVID-19 Update - Undergraduate Students
To: W&L Undergraduate Students
From: The COVID-19 Committee
Date: Tuesday, January 26
Below is this week's COVID-related update. Please continue to check the COVID-19 Resources website for the latest campus messages and resources, and to submit your questions to covid19@wlu.edu.
COVID-19 Committee Office Hours
The COVID-19 Committee will hold office hours again this term. You can use the Zoom links provided below to drop in. We look forward to seeing you! As always, please reach out with your concerns if you cannot attend one of these office hours.
- Jan. 28 from 3-4 p.m. - https://wlu.zoom.us/j/98855870985
- Feb. 5 from 10-11 a.m. - https://wlu.zoom.us/j/97983034278
- Feb. 11 from 3-4 p.m. - https://wlu.zoom.us/j/94362701391
- Feb. 19 from 10-11 a.m. - https://wlu.zoom.us/j/92311653332
- Feb. 25 from 3-4 p.m. - https://wlu.zoom.us/j/95237415888
- Mar. 5 from 10-11 a.m. - https://wlu.zoom.us/j/93923158696
Testing Results and Reminders
Our arrival, screening and diagnostic testing has identified 25 new positive COVID-19 cases among students since Jan. 19, which have resulted in nearly 100 students in isolation/quarantine. We have identified 54 positive student cases since arrival testing began on Jan. 5. As we welcome the remaining first-year students back to campus this week, we'd like to remind all of you to continue to be vigilant in following all current guidelines and restrictions, limiting your close contacts as much as possible, and complying with all testing and contact tracing requirements. We appreciate all you are doing to make this term successful and ask for your continued efforts as we work to contain the spread of the virus as much as possible.
Important Information About COVID-19 Vaccination Availability
The Student Health Center (SHC) has received a number of questions this week about availability of the COVID-19 vaccination on our campus. W&L is actively working with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) to obtain vaccinations to be distributed to our students as soon as we can get them. Because most of our students fall into the general population that will not qualify for the vaccine until a later phase, and a limited availability of the vaccine in our district, it may be several months before we are able to obtain vaccines for on-campus distribution.
Getting our campus community vaccinated as early as possible remains a priority and we will keep you apprised of progress as we continue to work to schedule on-campus vaccinations. In the meantime, some students who qualify because of underlying health conditions may be able to get the vaccine sooner, and we encourage you to do so at your earliest opportunity.
If you are able to get your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine outside the Central Shenandoah Health District, please be aware that you will need to complete your vaccination series at the same location. CSHD cannot provide your second dose of vaccine at this time if your first dose is given elsewhere. If you must travel outside the health district to get your second dose of vaccine, you must follow all recommended precautions during and after travel.
CSHD has a number of resources to help you know when the vaccine will be available to you:
- If you are aged 16-64 years with certain conditions or disabilities that increase your risk of severe illness from COVID-19, sign up for CSHD's COVID-19 Vaccine Update to receive notification when vaccinations begin for this group.
- If you are unsure of which phase of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility you belong to, complete the VDH Eligibility Tool.
- For the latest CSHD COVID-19 vaccination plans and timing, visit the CSHD's website or follow CSHD on Facebook, where they will post important COVID-19 vaccine updates. Or, to receive updates about vaccine distribution efforts, sign up for CSHD's COVID-19 Vaccine Update.