October 14 - Updates on COVID-19

TODAY’S CAMPUS UPDATES

Case count

One student has tested positive for coronavirus since yesterday. There are currently 7 active cases between students and employees. Please visit the UCI dashboard for updates on testing and case counts, and more.

UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND EVENTS

Heading for a ‘twindemic?’

As we head into flu season, experts nationwide have predicted an unprecedented burden on health systems and providers as they combat the pandemic and the flu in tandem. That has led to speculation that a “twin-demic” may occur this fall, with patients becoming infected with the flu and COVID-19, respiratory viruses that have many symptoms in common. It’s why public health officials are encouraging everyone to get flu vaccinations this year.

Pet therapy boosting spirits at UCI Medical Center

Watch this 2-minute video to see how UC Irvine Medical Center uses therapy dogs to comfort frontline medical workers battling COVID-19 pandemic. 

Upcoming events

• Doing Our Part to Stay Cyber-Safe, Oct. 16, 1 - 2 p.m.

UC UPDATES

Open enrollment coming

Open enrollment for all UC employees opens Oct. 29. The Open Enrollment website will be live with all of the details about this year’s changes and choices on Monday, Oct. 26.

GENERAL COVID-19 NEWS

This section curates noteworthy coronavirus news, trends and opinions. No endorsement by UCI is implied. Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and OC Register for students, faculty and staff
  

Chapman University works to contain coronavirus outbreak among students

Chapman University in Orange is working to contain a COVID-19 outbreak among students on and off campus, school officials said Tuesday. The university reported that 17 students living in dormitories are infected with COVID-19, as well as 19 living in off-campus housing near the school and one more in an unknown type residence.

OC Officials ready to define a coronavirus outbreak

An outbreak, according to state guidelines, is three or more confirmed cases in people who live in different households within the same location in a two-week period. Although there hasn’t been any reported outbreaks in OC high schools and younger, there have been cases slowly trickling out of the schools. It’s been up to parents and local school districts to report those cases to the public.

First American gets COVID-19 twice

An otherwise healthy 25-year-old Nevada man is the first American confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 twice, with the second infection worse than the first.

New study shows COVID-19 immunity can last for months

Three new reports just published that show COVID-19 immunity can last for months, and maybe even longer. The study suggests that many, if not most, people who recover from the virus are protected for at least a period.

Small gatherings are growing source of coronavirus spread

According to the CDC chief, small household gatherings are helping to drive COVID-19 cases across the nation.

Eli Lilly pauses COVID-19 antibody trial

Citing potential safety concerns, Eli Lilly & Co. said the enrollment of participants in a clinical trial of its antibody treatment for COVID-19 has been paused.

New research shows benefits of not commuting

The daily commute – which, back in 2015, was 26 minutes each way for the average U.S. worker – has been squashed for many, at least for now. Collectively, workers who kept their jobs in the wake of COVID-19 have millions of extra hours on their hands per week, according to calculations at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Trick-or-treating discouraged

The California Department of Public Health has issued guidance that outlines safer alternative ways to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

13 Halloween themed activities and events you can do in Southern California

It’s a modified spooky season, but there are still socially distanced drive-thru style and family-friendly Halloween events going on in the area.

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. 
  

Peru opens Machu Picchu for single tourist stranded by COVID-19

Peru has opened the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu for a single Japanese tourist who had waited almost seven months to visit the world heritage site.

Pumpkin weighing 2,350 pounds wins California contest

Being cooped up at home due to the pandemic paid handsomely for a Minnesota horticulture teacher who used the extra time to constantly water and feed a massive pumpkin that won this year’s Half Moon Bay pumpkin contest.

Grounded airline planes turned into pop-up restaurants

Amidst plunging revenues due to the pandemic, Singapore Airlines is turning two of its Airbus A380 planes parked at Changi Airport into impromptu restaurants and it’s proved surprisingly popular.

#UCIconnected

“Since the pandemic began, I’ve been training my cats to do circus tricks - they’ve been supporting UCI’s Anti-Cancer Challenge fund-raising efforts,” shared Greg Weiss, Professor of Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.