July 13 - Updates on COVID-19
Section 1
UCI UPDATES
Campus reopening plan update
In a campuswide email sent Friday night, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Hal Stern and UCI Student Health Center Medical Director Dr. Albert S. Chang discussed the recent uptick of COVID-19 cases at UCI, and provided an update on next steps and procedures for the gradual reopening of the campus.
UCI Libraries announce limited reopening plan
Under a phased reopening plan scheduled to begin this month, library patrons can start making book requests on July 27 for pick-up during the week of Aug. 3. Visit the UCI Libraries Reopening Plan website for more information.
New positive cases
A graduate student, a faculty member and a staff employee tested positive for COVID-19. The student lives off-campus and had no campus contacts. The faculty member hasn’t been on campus since June 29. People who were in contact with the faculty member and staff employee are being notified. A cumulative case count for UCI campus employees and students is maintained at www.uci.edu/coronavirus.
University Hills blood drive
Donors can receive a T-shirt or a certificate for one pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream when the UCI bloodmobile visits the University Hills Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Wednesday (or July 29). No walk-ins allowed. To request an appointment, fill out this online form.
UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS
Low Carb Cooking with Jessica
Chef Jessica Van Roo from the Anteater Test Kitchen will release her latest cooking video Wednesday. On the menu: zucchini pasta with tomato basil sauce; pesto chicken meatballs; and cauliflower crust pizza.
UC Retirement Savings and CARES Act
In a one-hour webinar and Q&A session that begins at noon Tuesday, Fidelity Financial Planners will discuss the CARES Act, withdrawals from UC Retirement Savings programs and marketplace considerations.
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.
A comedian’s tour was canceled, so she made masks for 60,000 needy people
After her one-woman show was sidelined by the virus, L.A. comic Kristina Wong launched the Auntie Sewing Squad, a group of volunteers who make and donate masks.
5-year-old uses chalk and jokes to put smile on neighbors’ faces
A young boy decorates his family’s driveway every day with corny jokes. Neighbors have responded in kind ways.
COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS
Note: Some news organizations require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times and Wall Street Journal for students, faculty and staff.
City of Irvine offers free drive-thru COVID tests
People who live or work in Irvine can receive free COVID-19 tests. The monthlong PCR testing program is available by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays in Lot 6 at the Great Park. For more information, visit https://www.cityofirvine.org/covid-19-resources/irvine-covid-19-drive-testing-faq.
FDA fast-tracks two COVID-19 vaccines
Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they received “Fast Track” status from the FDA for two of their four COVID-19 vaccines. The designation makes drug developers eligible for accelerated approval.
COVID unlikely to be spread by kids, research says
As school districts debate reopening, a growing body of evidence suggests young children are unlikely to transmit the virus - or get infected themselves.
L.A. Unified opts for online learning to begin fall semester
The nation’s second-largest school system will keep its campuses closed until further notice as the new school year begins Aug. 18. Officials cited pressure from teachers and a rise in COVID-19 infections. San Diego Unified also announced plans to start classes remotely this fall.
Newsom orders new statewide closures
Effective today, all counties must close indoor dining, indoor movie theaters, bars and breweries. Most churches, gyms and nail salons must also be shuttered. Full details can be found in the state roadmap.
WHO experts arrive in China for virus-origin tracing
Two experts from the World Health Organization are in China to begin tracking the origin of COVID-19. The team consists of one expert in animal health and one epidemiologist.
Smoking makes young adults more vulnerable to severe COVID-19
Research has found that one in three young adults is at risk for severe COVID-19, and smoking plays a big part in that risk. When participants who smoked cigarettes or e-cigarettes were taken out of the analysis, the vulnerable percentage decreased by half.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
The Washington Post, July 11, 2020
Covid-19 causes challenges for years-in-the-making study on babies and poverty
PBS Newshour, July 9, 2020 (Video)
The ‘unwise, disruptive policy’ of shutting out international students
TODAY, July 10, 2020
Is it safe to camp right now? What you should know
Conde Nast Traveler, July 10, 2020
Is it safe to book a vacation rental or Airbnb this summer?
Financial Times, July 12, 2020
Opinion: Universities must offer more than ‘Zoom from your room’
Orange County Register, July 12, 2020
Hospital chaplains fill role of surrogate family members during times of isolation, depression, death
The Sacramento Bee, July 11, 2020
Open dorms, online classes: How University of California campuses are opening this fall
Los Angeles Times, July 10, 2020
International students in California file suit over new visa guidelines
CBS2, July 10, 2020
‘Pawns in a political drama’: International students studying in SoCal sue Trump administration over new visa rule
Los Angeles Times, July 13, 2020
Urgent deadline approaches for international college students fighting to stay in U.S.
Voice of OC, July 13, 2020
As restaurants face Coronavirus outbreaks, OC Puts Health Inspectors on the sidelines
WebMD, July 10, 2020
As cases surge, no clear answers on school reopening
Forbes, July 10, 2020
How colleges and students are battling ICE’s new crackdown on foreign student
Orange County Business Journal, July 13, 2020
Startups & Innovations – Coronavirus updates
The Sacramento Bee, July 13, 2020
COVID-19 test results are delayed in some states as surge in cases overloads labs
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