April 3 - Updates on COVID-19

CAMPUS UPDATES

UCI Zoom Backgrounds Available

UCI’s creative services team has created UCI-themed backgrounds for Zoom. Here is the zip file with the selection of backgrounds. (File will automatically download upon clicking.) And here is a pdf of how to enable zoom backgrounds.

Virtual Yoga and Meditation

The Graduate Division invites the UCI community to a virtual yoga and meditation class on Wednesday, April 8th from 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. The class will be live-streamed on UCI Graduate Division’s Instagram page (@ucirvinegd) and facilitated by graduate counselor and yoga instructor Phong Luong. The class is designed to allow for a full body stretch for beginners and fundamental breathwork. Mats are recommended, but not required.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Zoom Patch

Zoom has created a patch which corrects security vulnerabilities. Be sure you are running the latest version of Zoom which includes these patches. Please follow Zoom’s instructions to update Zoom.

What Makes a Coronavirus a Coronavirus?

In this YouTube video, Dr. Donald Forthal, Professor and Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases in UCI’s School of Medicine presents “What Makes a Coronavirus a Coronavirus?”

UCIMC UPDATES

Blood Donors Wanted

The call for more donations comes as the American Red Cross announced a severe blood shortage nationally due to widespread blood drive cancellations during the current novel coronavirus outbreak.The UCI Health Blood Donor Center in Orange has expanded its hours of operation to six days a week to boost donations for its patients.

Disinfecting your home to kill viruses

Regular cleaning of surfaces with effective disinfectants is another weapon in the fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. Infectious disease experts say that doing so can help reduce the spread of the illness.

Coping with the stress of COVID-19

UCI Health offers helpful tips for the quarantined, social distancers and parents.

UC UPDATES

The University of California Issues Guidance in Spanish on Employment during COVID-19

In a letter issued yesterday, the Chancellors of the UC campuses collectively announced that there will be no COVID-19 related layoffs for all career employees through the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2020. The letter is also available in Spanish.

COMMUNITY UPDATES AND NEWS

California Public Health Officials Release Guidance on Use of Cloth Face Coverings

California’s public health officials released guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against COVID-19 for Californians who must leave their homes to conduct essential activities. The guidance does not require people to wear face coverings – and is not a substitute for the state’s current guidance regarding social distancing and hand washing. The state also does not recommend Californians use N-95 or surgical masks, which are needed for our health care workers and first responders who will be there for when our lives at risk.

Orange County to Follow State Guidelines for Wearing Face Coverings in Public

Recent guidance posted by the California Department of Public Health states Californians who must leave their homes to conduct essential activities should wear face coverings, if they feel comfortable doing so, and practice strict hand washing before and after touching and adjusting the covering.

Health Corps

California Governor Gavin Newsom has said about 70,000 people have applied for the state’s new Health Corpssince its creation three days ago. The state is now vetting the licenses, specialties and looking to place eligible healthcare workers in roles at facilities where they are most needed throughout California.

Orange County Resource Directory

Orange County has recently published a resource directory for COVID-19. The County is currently hosting press conferences on Mondays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. via Facebook.

Bridge Loans Available

Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a “bridge loan” of up to $50,000 for small businesses in California amid the coronavirus outbreak, with a 12-month reprieve of state sales tax.

COVID Hospitalizations Up in Orange County

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the number of hospitalizations due to the coronavirus climbed sharply Thursday. The agency said in Thursday’s update that 115 people were hospitalized with the virus, with 47 of them in intensive care. Thursday’s snapshot shows an increase of 72% in total hospitalizations and 52% in intensive care admissions from Wednesday’s snapshot.

OnwardCA.org

Governor Newsom launched OnwardCA.org, which is designed to help California workers displaced by coronavirus with over 70,000 job opportunities.

New Help for CA Small Businesses & Workers Displaced by COVID-19

Starting today, the federal government is offering first-come, first-serve loans for small employers that will be worth up to $10 million. In addition, Governor Newsom will support small businesses that might not be eligible for federal relief through $50 million in loan guarantees.

MemorialCare Opening Testing Center at Shuttered San Clemente Hospital

The shuttered 73-bed San Clemente hospital will now become a site for COVID-19 testing. It was passed over for us as an overflow option for hospitals and will instead become a testing site. The site will open as soon as test kits become available and it will be done as a drive-thru.