Dear students, faculty and staff,
With just a few weeks until the fall semester begins, we’d like to thank everyone for their continued efforts as we continue to navigate the pandemic together.
Today’s COVID-19 environment is markedly different from the one we faced two years ago. Unlike then, most people now are vaccinated, and many are boosted. We have a variety of tools to help protect ourselves and others. As we transition from the emergency phase of the pandemic to a monitoring/mitigation phase, monitoring will shift from UW-Whitewater’s Emergency Operations Center to a Campus Health Advisory Group with representation from University Health and Counseling Services, Academic Affairs, Residence Life, University Police, and University Marketing and Communications, in continued consultation with our three county health departments. If COVID-19 conditions on campus or in the community warrant it, the EOC may be established again.
Cases in our region continue to fluctuate. We expect some students, faculty and staff will test positive over the coming months. This is likely to temporarily affect class attendance, department functioning, and the services that are offered on campus. We’d like to ask every Warhawk to continue to be patient and accommodating with one another. Our success these past two years has been a result of our students, faculty and staff observing guidelines, following recommended health practices, practicing responsible behavior, and being flexible.
COVID-19 vaccines and testing
–Safe, effective vaccines (and booster doses) are available for free. Visit the COVID-19 website for a list of vaccine resources.
–UW-Whitewater students, faculty and staff can pick up a free COVID-19 home testing kit at UHCS. Mass testing is no longer available on campus. Testing at UHCS is only available for students with symptoms that require them to be seen by a provider. Visit the COVID-19 website for a list of other testing resources.
If you test positive or are exposed to someone who tests positive
–If you need information on what to do if you test positive or are exposed to someone positive, please visit the CDC quarantine/isolation calculator. After you answer a series of questions, this calculator will describe your next steps.
–If you are advised to isolate and you live on campus, it is preferable that you isolate at home. If you are unable to do so, please contact the COVID-19 hotline at 262-472-1362 or email covid19info@uww.edu and isolate in place.
–You aren’t required to report your positive status to the COVID-19 hotline, but it is your responsibility to communicate with all relevant individuals, including your instructors, work supervisor or coach.
Face coverings
–There is no university-wide mandate. Please be respectful of people’s individual choices to wear or not wear a face covering. Masks continue to be a good tool for protecting ourselves and others, and the CDC advises that everyone wear masks for 10 days after a positive test or after exposure, regardless of vaccination status.
–Clinical areas such as University Health and Counseling Services, the Communication Sciences and Disorders clinic, and the Children’s Center may still require masking.
COVID-19 hotline
–This resource is up and running effective Monday, Aug. 15. Call 262-472-1362 or email covid19info@uww.edu with any questions related to COVID-19.
The Campus Health Advisory Group is also monitoring monkeypox at this time. Any student concerned they have been infected or exposed can call UHCS at 262-472-1300 to see a provider, and any staff or faculty member with a concern should call their primary care provider. For more information, visit the CDC’s monkeypox webpage.
We look forward to your return and wish you a successful start to the new academic year.
— Campus Health Advisory Group