May 6 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

COVID-19 financial reporting seminar for staff

Accounting & Fiscal Services will host an additional COVID-19 Financial Reporting Seminar on Friday, May 8. Campus financial managers and others involved in tracking expenses are strongly encouraged to attend if they couldn’t make it to one of last week’s sessions. Participants will learn about how UCI is reporting financial data to FEMA and why it is essential for all campus units to identify and record expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic, including procedures for tracking those expenses, tools that can help, and timelines for reporting.

UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center panel on COVID-19

The Center for Biotechnology and Global Health Policy and the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center have partnered to host a virtual panel of experts discussing COVID-19. The event takes place Thursday, May 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. Four experts will address the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is required. It will be streamed on Facebook at facebook.com/UCIStemCell and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Pau-eWPE0RY. For further information, contact Judy Baek at Judy.baek@uci.edu

UC Irvine COVID-19 Research Biobank - accepting applications

The UCI School of Medicine Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Clinical Research, and Institute for Clinical and Translational Science are developing a comprehensive COVID-19 research biobank available for COVID-19 related research projects. Initial collections include whole blood, plasma, and serum from participants being tested for COVID-19 and remnant nasal swab samples. Virus status will be known. Requests will be evaluated by an independent biobank committee and prioritized based on scientific merit, feasibility and novelty. UCI faculty and affiliates are eligible to apply for samples. Outside projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For more information or to download the form to request samples from the COVID-19 Research Biobank, please visit the COVID Biobank Website.

UCI Wellness webinar this Friday

As part of the Coronavirus Support Webinar Series, UCI Wellness is offering the next webinar Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m., called Overcoming Your Distorted Negative Thinking. Each webinar will be offered live multiple times and will be recorded for on-demand viewing. The registration links become recording links following each session.

COVID-19 impact to students’ education and job prospects

The School of Social Sciences is offering a webinar tonight, May 6, at 6 p.m., called Economic Impact of COVID-19: Effects on Students’ Education and Job Market Prospects. The event features a panel of UCI experts in sociology and economics and is moderated by Dean Bill Mauer. Registration is required.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Humanities Center is co-sponsoring a series of conversations entitled Asian American and Pacific Islanders in 2020 to explore disparities and racism affecting the AAPI communities in Los Angeles and Orange County. The first event, entitled “History in the Making during a Time of Pandemic” will take place on Friday, May 8, 11:30 - 12:30, live-streamed on this site with video posted afterwards.

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute offers free Integrative Biofeedback Services

Integrative Biofeedback Services for relaxation, performance optimization, and stress management is being offered as part of the free well-being programs for UCI employees by The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. Remote Integrative Biofeedback sessions emphasize tools such as breath work, guided imagery and heart rate monitors to better control stress physiology. To schedule an Integrative Biofeedback session fill out the online request form.

UC UPDATES

Janet Napolitano on reopening campuses

UC President Janet Napolitano, in an interview with Politico, discussed reopening the UC campuses and suggested students should not take a gap year.

UCSF partners with state to develop Public Health Workforce for contact tracing training

UCSF, in a partnership with CDPH, has established the UCSF Pandemic Workforce Training Academy, a new 20-hour online training program to teach public health workers contact tracing techniques and public health strategies.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

U.S. Releases New Rules on Campus Sexual Assault

The U.S. Department of Education published an unofficial version of its long-awaited final regulations governing campus sexual assault under Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination at federally funded institutions. Colleges and universities will need to be in compliance with the regulations by Aug. 14.

White House Coronavirus Task Force to wind down

Vice President Pence has stated that the White House’s coronavirus task force will wind down its work around Memorial Day.

Apple, Google give a look at coronavirus tracking app

Apple and Google moved a step closer to releasing a coronavirus tracking technology, showing off what an app may look like on phones. The two companies showed how people will be able to opt in to the system and turn on notifications in case they’re exposed to someone confirmed to have coronavirus.

Spike mutation reveals the emergence of a more transmissible form of SARS-CoV-2

A new study from Los Alamos National Laboratory has revealed that a new, more transmissible strain of SARS-CoV-2 may have become dominant across the world. Scientists warn that the new strain may make individuals vulnerable to reinfection. The study is awaiting peer review.

New bill would forgive some student loans for frontline healthcare workers

A new bill titled “Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act” was introduced to Congress that would have some of the frontline healthcare worker’s student loan debt forgiven.

Gilead Sciences may allow other companies to produce remdesivir

Gilead Sciences said they may allow other companies to produce the drug for Europe, Asia and elsewhere for at least the next two years.

CA COVID-19 deaths decline

California recorded its first week-over-week decline in reported coronavirus deaths, a promising sign of progress as Governor Gavin Newsom prepares to reopen some businesses this week.

CA moving to Stage 2 reopening

The CA report card released by Gov. Newsom shows how the state is doing in meeting key measures for moving into Stage 2, which will occur at the end of this week. CA is on track on the following statewide metrics:

Stability of hospitalizations
Personal protective equipment inventory
Health care surge capacity
Testing capacity
Contact tracing capability
Public health guidance in place

OC COVID-19 cases trend upward

Coronavirus cases in Orange County continue to increase with 106 reported each day on average in the past week, up from 66 and 56 from the two preceding weeks.

DMVs preparing to reopen

The head of the California Department of Motor Vehicles said he hopes to begin reopening field offices this month as the agency improves safeguards in response to coronavirus. However, some activities, including on-the-road driving tests, will take longer to resume.

Disneyland Shanghai to reopen

Disneyland in Shanghai will open May 11 with social distancing, masks, temperature scans, and other precautions, offering a glimpse of what could be in store for U.S. parks.