June 30 - Updates on COVID-19

UCI UPDATES

All returns to the workplace must be pre-approved

Please note: Working remotely is the default mode of operation and all are requested to continue to do so until further notice.

We understand that there has been a lot of messaging about returning to campus, especially around the steps to take before and upon returning to the workplace. While we are requiring training, checking in on the daily symptom check app, and risk assessments, completion of these steps does not mean that you should be coming back to campus. All returns to the workplace must be pre-approved. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please speak with your supervisor.

How does one get approval to return to campus?

• If a unit leader determines that an employee’s job duties or a group of employee’s job duties require on-site engagement, the unit leader or dean must clearly identify what activities these are, and submit a unit plan to the Campus Recovery Implementation Team (CRIT).

• The CRIT Team will review and the Return Plan Review Committee will approve, or ask additional questions to ensure we are only returning staff to campus who really need to be on-site.

• CRIT will notify units whether or not they are approved to return to campus. Employees will be notified by their unit leader or dean when they are approved to return to work on campus.

Additionally, with the understanding that spikes or outbreaks of new COVID-19 infections could occur, all operations will be ready to retreat to conservative phases if safety concerns arise.

Positive cases

Four students and one employee tested positive on June 28 and June 29 for COVID-19. All four students live off campus and all five individuals are recovering in self-isolation at their homes. People who were in contact with the individuals are being notified. For the current case count within the UCI community, please visit www.uci.edu/coronavirus.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES

Remote teaching special update

As remote teaching and learning continues into the summer and fall quarters, we wanted to acknowledge our faculty who have been instrumental in sharing their unique expertise and insights with fellow faculty and instructors. In this issue, provost faculty fellows and active learning institute alumni step up to support transition to remote teaching.

Claire Trevor School of the Arts shares video update on the 19-20 academic year amid global challenges

We want to tell you about what we’ve accomplished, look at the way in which life has affected our vision for the coming period of time, and explore some of the things we’ve implemented as a response to what is happening in the world. We invite you to view this video to learn more about where we have come and where we are going at CTSA.

UC UPDATES

UC President to lead virtual event on July 2

University of California President Janet Napolitano will lead a virtual conversation on the impact and value of higher education, titled “A Future in Question: Higher Education and the Public Good,” on Thursday, July 2, at 9 a.m. PDT. Registration is required.

All UC Schools of Medicine to interview applicants virtually

The deans of University of California Health’s six medical schools announced today that all medical school, residency and fellowship interviews for the 2020-2021 academic year will be held in a virtual format. The decision creates a consistent approach of no in-person interviews so that all applicants who advance to the interview stage have the same setting for presenting their skills and are not encumbered by COVID-19 related travel concerns.

California signs $202 billion pandemic budget

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $202 billion budget Monday with emergency pandemic funding, expanded unemployment aid and billions of dollars in cuts forced by the coronavirus-caused recession. Public universities are impacted with hundreds of million of dollars in cuts from University of California and California State University budgets. Nearly $1 billion could be restored to universities if the federal government sends more money.

HOPE, INSPIRATION, LAUGHTER

Amid the heartbreaking loss of life and economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus, we recognize the need for stories of kindness, hope, courage and humor.

‘She’s going to make it, damn it.’ A doctor’s quest to save her patient from COVID

At a Boston teaching hospital filled with the dying, a surgeon pinned her hopeson the survival of a young, pregnant woman.

This man posts a daily ‘bad dad joke’ in his yard. People groan but love it

“It surprised me how much it made my mood better,” said the 62-year-old. “I feel like I’m contributing a little bit to other people’s happiness.”

COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS

State puts Orange County on coronavirus watch list

Coronavirus is spreading quickly enough locally that on Monday state health officials put Orange County on a watch list of counties in danger of facing new lockdown orders. In its assessment, California’s Dept. of Public Health cited outbreaks at assisted living facilities, memory care facilities and other communal homes in Orange County as key drivers behind the boost in positive tests for coronavirus and an upturn in hospitalizations.

California added to New York’s quarantine list

New York Governor Cuomo announced eight additional states that were added to New York’s quarantine list--California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee. Those traveling from one of these states will be required to quarantine for two weeks.

All Los Angeles County beaches will be closed Fourth of July weekend

Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that Los Angeles County will close its beaches this Friday and ban fireworks displays ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. This comes as confirmed cases of coronavirus continue to spike.

European Union bans travelers from the United States

The European Union announced that it will reopen its borders to travelers from 14 countries, but most Americans have been refused entry for at least another two weeks as coronavirus cases continue to rise.

WHO to send a team to China to research ‘how the virus started’

The World Health Organization is sending a team to China to better understand how the coronavirus started and hopefully learn more about the virus.

FDA authorizes emergency coronavirus antibody tests

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization to the company Beckman Coulter for its COVID-19 antibody test. As of yesterday, the FDA has authorized 24 antibody tests for emergency use.

‘Don’t share your air,’ says seismologist Lucy Jones

Our most famous seismologist managed in years of Great ShakeOut drills to drill into us one key earthquake response. Follow these basic steps: “Drop! Cover! Hold On!” She has a similarly clear message on the coronavirus — “Don’t share your air.” Wear a mask around others. Maintain distance. Simple as that.

UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List

The Washington Post, June 30, 2020 
Americans are living in a big ‘anger incubator.’ Experts have tips for regulating our rage.

Filene, May 27, 2020
Digital transformation in the age of COVID-19: What should credit unions deliver?

Voice of OC, June 29, 2020
OC partners with community group to reduce coronavirus impacts on Anaheim, Santa Ana

Forbes, June 30, 2020 
How to help small businesses in the next round of government stimulus

Campus Security & Life Safety, June 29, 2020
Experts weigh in: How to reopen schools safely

Engineered Systems, June 30, 2020
What labs can teach us about safely returning to offices

MORE INFORMATION

OC-COVID19.org - powered by UCI and UCI Health, a website devoted to providing timely, useful, evidence-based information about the novel coronavirus pandemic to our friends and neighbors across Orange County

UCI Coronavirus Information Hub - more information on campus status and operational updates

UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health