COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
This week we began to welcome back students from around the country as we ready for the start of the fall semester. As a reminder, all students are required to test negative for COVID-19 before attending any in-person classes, programs, or work shifts on any University of Miami campus.
After the fall semester, many of you are pros at navigating campus life during a global pandemic. Please help your fellow ’Canes who were not on campus last semester to get their footing. A kind word and a physically distant helping hand make all the difference.
Remind one another to stay at least 6 feet apart, wear face coverings in public spaces, avoid crowded areas, and practice good hand hygiene. Even as people receive vaccines, we must stay the course and continue practicing safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
We will have a COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall on Monday, Jan. 25, for faculty, staff, students, and parents of our Coral Gables and Marine campuses, during which we will provide an update about the vaccine and answer any questions you may have. Register for the town hall.
As always, I am here to offer my support.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
NEW QUARANTINE TIMELINEAlthough, in general, our COVID-19 protocols have not changed since the fall semester, there is one slight difference regarding quarantine. You may recall that we implemented a 14-day quarantine last year for those exposed to the virus. This semester that time has been shortened to 7 days with a negative test result, per CDC guidance. This change is meant to lessen the burden of staying in quarantine for two weeks.
However, because we are a residential campus, we do need to be extremely cautious. If the rate of infection on campus increases, we may need to lengthen the time of quarantine.
For more information on our quarantine guidelines, please follow this link.
USCREEN, ISCREEN, WE ALL SCREEN On Monday, Jan. 25, we will begin weekly testing appointments at the Pavia Garage on the Coral Gables Campus for students and random surveillance testing for faculty and staff through the UScreen initiative. The testing site will be open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the spring semester. Testing is necessary to trace any new infections and isolate them before the virus spreads to others.
COVID “TO GO” BAG When you are away from your home, it is a good idea to always have these items with you to help stop the spread of COVID-19:
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An extra mask
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A plastic bag to store used and dirty masks
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Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
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Disinfectant wipes
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Tissues
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS Students, faculty, and staff are still required to use the Daily Symptom Checker and follow its guidance EVERY DAY you are on campus. You can access the appropriate tool online or through the UMiami app.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms include:
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Fever or chills
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Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
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Fatigue
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Muscle or body aches
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Headache
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New loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion or runny nose
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Nausea or vomiting
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Diarrhea
GET SOME ZZZZs Starting a new semester can cause you to feel nervous or anxious, affecting your ability to sleep. Adjusting to a new schedule or even a new bed doesn’t help. Sleep is essential both to your mental well-being and your ability to fight illnesses like COVID-19. According to studies, it may even help vaccines work better.
There is a midnight curfew for Miami-Dade County, and you should avoid crowded bars anyway, so why not catch up on some sleep?
If you are having trouble sleeping, try exercising regularly, turning off devices an hour before bedtime, taking a hot bath, or drinking some hot herbal tea.
COVID-19 IN MARINE MAMMALSDid you ever wonder what happens to the COVID-19 virus in the waste water? Animals like the sea otter and sperm whale may be in danger of contracting COVID-19, according to a new research study. Wastewater is known to carry SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. If untreated sewage is discharged into the ocean, there are about 15 endangered marine mammals whose genetic similarities with humans make them susceptible to the virus.
The best way for you to help protect them? Avoid getting the virus by following all the measures above and when it is your turn, get the vaccine. |
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We will share more health and wellness news in the next edition. |
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COVID-19 RESOURCES
Students, faculty, and staff on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses who are experiencing possible symptoms consistent with, or who have been potentially exposed to, COVID-19 should contact the University's COVID-19 hotline at 305-243-ONE-U, where UHealth physicians and providers are available to answer your questions and provide telemedicine services if needed.
Members of the Medical Campus should contact 305-243-8378.
For additional University of Miami COVID-19 information and resources, visit coronavirus.miami.edu.
If you are a student in distress or need counseling services, the Counseling Center provides mental health services through HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platforms. Counselors are certified and available to help any time by calling 305-284-5511. Additional resources are also available by visiting counseling.studentaffairs.miami.edu.
If you are a faculty or staff members in need of support visit fsap.miami.edu. |
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