May 13 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

UCI Libraries

During this unprecedented time, the UCI Libraries continue to support teaching, learning, and research, even though our buildings are closed due to COVID-19. Here are some examples of coverage of content now available and usage of electronic resources.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

UCI to take part in clinical trial of drug for critically ill COVID-19 patients

UCI Health will initiate a clinical study of a drug to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients who face a high mortality rate because of acute inflammation that fills their lungs with fluid, a grave condition that even mechanical ventilation cannot improve. Aviptadil, which has a 20-year history of use in human clinical trials for lung ailments, will be employed in a phase 2b/3 clinical study of COVID-19 patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome, a primary cause of coronavirus-induced death.

Racing to deliver COVID-19 testing

Read how through the efforts of the UCI Health team, the medical center became the first hospital in Orange County to provide in-house.

UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS

Improving Equity and Health during COVID-19

The Office of Inclusive Excellence, the LEAD-ABC (Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black, and Caribbean) program and the College of Health Sciences invite all campus and medical center members to join #ActForInclusion: Improving Equity and Health During Covid-19. Participants will gain insights from key leaders about cutting-edge research and education emerging to support community wellness and health professionals; success in the battle against COVID-19. The Zoom event takes place May 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. and registration is required.

Pandemic Parenting

The School of Social Ecology is launching “Parkside Chats,” a webinar series featuring conversations with Dean Nancy Guerra and faculty experts on the social, environmental and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Pandemic Parenting”, featuring Jessica Borelli, associate professor of psychological science, is the next installment and takes place May 15 at 1 p.m.

Connecting Under COVID Circumstances & the New Normal

ICS Alumni Chapter presents this week’s Lunch and Learn: Connecting Under COVID-19 Circumstances & the New Normal. The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the circumstances for interacting with others. The presenters have been studying how people interact when they are in different physical locations for most of their careers. There are many lessons learned, both about how to make more effective use of tools like Zoom and Skype, but also how to manage things in between such synchronous interactions. The event is Friday, May 15 at noon. Registration is required.

Compelling Conversations: Developing COVID-19 Diagnostics

In the first installment of the School of Physical Sciences Virtual Lecture Series, Compelling Conversations, an exclusive series for partners, alumni, and supporters of the school, Dean James Bullock hosted experts working at the forefront of COVID-19 diagnostics. Watch the recording to hear John Gerace, President of DiaSorin Molecular, and professors Reg Penner and Greg Weiss discuss their work.

Compelling Conversations: Developing an Antiviral for COVID-19

Chemistry professor Rachel Martin is leading a global scientific collaboration to develop an antiviral for COVID-19. On May 6, she gave a lecture discussing her project, which centers on finding a way to block the ability of the coronavirus to make copies of itself once it’s inside the human body.

UC UPDATES

UC Travel

As travel restrictions related to COVID-19 continue, airlines and hotels are expanding their commitment to traveler safety. While UC continues to abide by federal guidelines on non-essential travel, many of these enhanced protection and cleaning conditions may apply to any essential business travel currently going on. UC Central Travel Management issued a survey to UC employees to determine if a webinar is needed on COVID-19 and travel restrictions.

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

CSU system remains online in the fall

The Cal State University, the nation’s largest four-year public university system, announced classes for all 23 campuses will remain online in the fall.

Irvine city council approves 4-phase reopening plan and drive-through testing

The Irvine City Council approved a four-phase plan for reopening City facilities and services. The plan allows for tennis and pickleball courts to reopen now as the State moves into Stage 2 of its roadmap. When the State moves into Stage 3, City playgrounds can reopen. City athletic fields, basketball and volleyball courts, and stadiums can also reopen for practices and games in Stage 3. Facilities, including Senior Centers will open with strict social distancing and sanitization protocols in Stage 4.

Calif. Athletic Association suspends competition for fall

The California Collegiate Athletic Association, an NCAA Division II conference comprised of 12 California State University campuses and the University of California, San Diego, has suspended all sports competition for the fall of 2020.

U.S. vaccine makers consider working together

Scientists are deciding between two methods for testing vaccines this summer: each company working independently on its own or several vaccine developers working in one large trial. Working together would be an unprecedented method for vaccine development in the U.S.

Gilead strikes deal to make remdesivir coronavirus treatment for 127 countries

Gilead Sciences has reached a deal with five generic drugmakers to produce remdesivir in 127 countries, not including the United States. The license is “royalty-free” until the WHO declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Twitter employees can work from home ‘forever’

San-Francisco-based Twitter plans to allow most employees to work from home permanently, even after restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.

Key coronavirus model projects increased death toll

The coronavirus model used by the White House has once again raised its coronavirus death toll now projecting 147,000 deaths in the U.S. by August 4.

Grocery costs spike during the coronavirus pandemic

According to the Labor Department, food prices at grocery stores recorded its biggest increase since February 1974, rising 2.6%. The price of staples like eggs, meat and cereal climbed as many stocked up on food.

California offices can open with modifications

Governor Newsom has announced that offices that cannot telework and dine-in restaurants may reopen with implemented health safety modifications. Additionally, shopping malls, strip malls, and outlets may open for curbside pickup. However, reopenings are subject to the local governments’ discretion.

California hospitals lacking non-COVID patients laying off staff amid pandemic

Some California hospitals lacking COVID-19 patients have begun to layoff their nurses and staff due to the decreased amount of normal patients coming in. Many nurses have filed for unemployment.

California has conducted over 1 million diagnostic tests for COVID-19

Governor Newsom announced that California has ramped up its coronavirus testing in recent weeks and now more than 1 million diagnostic tests have been conducted across the state.

Orange County Congress members question low testing rates

All of Orange County’s members of Congress are demanding answers to why Orange County has far less testing rates than neighboring counties like Riverside and San Diego, and what is being done to increase access to tests.