COVID-19 Updates

August 17, 2022 Update

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for the 2022-23 Academic Year

As recently announced, effective September 16, 2022 all University employees and students will be required to provide proof that they have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized or approved by the FDA or WHO. Anyone who does not upload proof of receiving two vaccine doses will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing if they are coming to a Chicago-area facility for any reason and at any frequency. Individuals who have already uploaded to my.WellnessPortal proof of vaccination with two doses do not need to take further action.

Additional COVID-19 vaccine doses (e.g., booster shots) beyond the initial two vaccine doses will not be a University requirement; however, the University strongly recommends that individuals continue to receive vaccine boosters as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unvaccinated individuals who exclusively are working remotely or taking classes remotely may request an exemption from the weekly testing requirement based on their remote status.

You can find more information on the UChicago Forward vaccination page and in this FAQ. We will share instructions soon for individuals who do not meet the vaccination requirement to enroll in weekly testing or apply for a remote-only exemption.

Campus COVID-19 Testing – Site Change

Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing (exposure testing, voluntary testing, and mandatory testing) is now taking place at the Ryerson Physical Laboratory, Suite 155, located on the main quadrangle at 1100 E. 58th Street. The testing center operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Individuals should access the Ryerson Physical Laboratory test site via the ground-level entrance located between Eckhart Hall and the Ryerson Physical Laboratory (East Entrance).

Note – the testing center will close at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2 and will be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day.

See the testing page at UChicago Forward for more information.

University Exposure Protocols Update

The CDC recently updated its COVID-19 guidance, namely removing the requirement to quarantine following an exposure for those not up to date with the COVID-19 vaccines. According to the CDC, individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day five. The University has updated its exposure protocols to reflect these changes.

Masking Reminder

In light of the continued emergence of new coronavirus subvariants, the University strongly recommends that individuals wear a mask indoors whenever others are present, and on public transportation.

June 3, 2022 Update

Masking Guidelines for Convocation and End of Year Events

As noted in an all-campus message on Thursday, the University strongly recommends that individuals wear a mask at all indoor events and on public transportation during Convocation and other year-end events. This is in line with the Chicago Department of Public Health’s recommendation for indoor masking following the May 26 elevation of the City of Chicago’s COVID-19 risk level to “high,” in light of recent elevated metrics. While the decision to mask is your own, we ask that you carefully consider this extra precaution to help prevent further increases in cases.

We look forward to welcoming the University community and guests to campus this week for Convocation and other events and activities marking the end of the academic year.

COVID-19 Policies for the 2022-2023 Academic Year

The University is planning to send an update soon on COVID-19 policies, including vaccination guidance, for the next academic year.

COVID-19 Testing – Summer Schedule

This summer, the Walker Museum testing site will be open from 9am until 4pm Monday through Friday. The site will be closed in observation of Juneteenth (early closure on Thursday, June 16, and closed Friday, June 17 through Monday, June 19) and Independence Day (early closure on Thursday, June 30, and closed Friday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 5). Please check the UChicago Forward website and signage at the testing site for other changes that occur during the summer.

May 20, 2022 Update

Alumni Weekend, Convocation, and Other Year-End Events

University COVID-19 precautions apply during year-end events taking place over the next few weeks. While many of the events take place outdoors, the University recommends that individuals wear a mask in indoor settings when others are present. Please look for updates from organizers on specific COVID-19 precautions related to individual events.

Children Ages 5-11 Eligible for a Booster Shot

Yesterday, the CDC recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots for children ages 5-11, following the FDA’s authorization earlier this week. Children are eligible at least five months after completing their first round of shots.

Parents can find a nearby vaccine site by visiting vaccines.gov. COVID-19 vaccines/boosters and the flu shot are available at most neighborhood pharmacies.

May 13, 2022 Update

Masks Recommended Indoors

As announced on Wednesday, the University is recommending that individuals wear a mask in indoor settings when others are present. This is in light of recent elevated COVID-19 metrics on campus and in the City of Chicago, and Chicago’s Community Risk Level being changed to “medium” last Friday.

While the decision to mask is your own, we ask that you carefully consider this extra precaution in shared indoor settings, including offices, classrooms, and public transportation, as part of our efforts to help prevent further increases in cases. Note that UChicago Medicine is maintaining its own masking policies.

Meeting Guidance

Organizers of certain convenings, such as large indoor performances attended by the public, may seek an exception to the University’s mask-optional policy. Exception requests will be granted on a case-by-case basis, with most indoor convenings on campus remaining mask-recommended at this time. See the Guidance for University-sponsored Meetings and Convenings on the UChicago Forward website for more information.

Walker Museum Hours – Memorial Day Weekend

The Walker Museum COVID-19 testing site will have reduced hours (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) on Friday, May 27 and will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day. Please plan accordingly.

May 6, 2022 Update

COVID-19 in Chicago

Today the City of Chicago’s Community Level risk was updated to "medium" in light of additional new COVID-19 cases, as additional Chicago-area counties, including Cook County, have been added to the “medium” designation. This is an important reminder to take precautions, such as staying home if you have COVID-19-like symptoms, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Public health officials recommend wearing a mask “in indoor public settings where vaccine status is not known.” The city has not reinstated a citywide mask mandate, and UChicago’s policy remains mask-optional for most of the campus. The University’s policy was adopted in consultation with experts at UChicago Medicine (UCM), and with consideration of public health guidance at the city, state and national levels. The University’s COVID-19 precautions, including masking policies, take into account many factors, including local case numbers and positivity rates, as well as trends in COVID-19 hospital admissions and our contact tracing team’s latest observations concerning transmission on campus. The city’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate – a key factor for measuring community risk – remains well below previous levels.

Most recent cases on campus have stemmed from social events and gatherings. UCM experts continue to recommend that individuals with health concerns wear well-fitting masks, which provide an added layer of protection regardless of whether other individuals are masked. The University will continue to monitor the public health situation and consult with experts at UChicago Medicine concerning precautions on campus.

April 29, 2022 Update

Voluntary Testing

As a reminder, COVID-19 testing is available on a voluntary basis to members of the University community during the 2021-22 academic year. There is no need to commit to weekly testing.

The voluntary testing program is mostly intended to provide testing once per week for those who choose to participate. We have limited participation in the program to twice per week, because results can take up to 48 hours and there is little diagnostic benefit from getting more than two PCR tests in the same week. Because of the time it takes to obtain results, individuals also should not seek tests on successive days.

Voluntary testing is available on the Hyde Park campus, in the Walker Museum, Suite 309, located on the main quadrangle at 1115 E. 58th St. The Walker Museum site is available for people who do NOT have COVID-19-like symptoms, including asymptomatic people who are getting tested because they were exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you would like to receive a test, complete the consent and HIPAA forms and schedule a test through the patient portal.

Symptomatic Testing

It is vital that individuals with COVID-19-like symptoms do not seek testing at the Walker Museum testing site. If you have symptoms, you are required to disclose them and will be given instructions on where to go. For the health of our community and our testing staff, symptomatic testing must remain separate.

If you are symptomatic and need a test:

  • Students and employees with a UChicago Medicine MyChart account can login to complete a virtual screening. Based on the results of the screening, you may be eligible to schedule an appointment for a drive-up or walk-in swab PCR test at UCM’s Hyde Park curbside clinic.

  • Visit the City of Chicago’s website for alternative symptomatic testing locations.

Rapid/antigen testing for individuals who are symptomatic will no longer be provided at the Walker Museum. There is ample availability for testing during the week at UChicago Medicine.

Mandatory Testing

Please remember that you are required to participate in the University’s weekly COVID-19 Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program if you are not fully vaccinated or up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19, have an approved medical or religious exemption, and you are in University facilities in the Chicago area during this academic year. Thank you to the vast majority of unvaccinated individuals who are participating in mandatory testing.

You can find more information, including how to register for the program and schedule a test, on the UChicago Forward website.

Little Change Reported in COVID-19 Hospitalization

Although COVID-19 cases have increased in the city and at the University in recent weeks, so far there has been little change in COVID-19 hospitalization figures. That is noteworthy because communities use COVID-19 hospital admissions as a factor in determining prevention strategies. The number of new COVID-19 hospitalizations has been flat in Chicago over the last week. The University of Chicago Medical Center currently has 16 patients admitted for COVID-19 – an increase of five cases since March 12.

April 22, 2022 Update

State Eases Mask Mandate

Following the lifting of federal mask mandates for airplanes and other travel, the State of Illinois this week ended the requirement for people to wear masks on public transportation. As a result, people are no longer required to wear masks on University of Chicago shuttles, in addition to the end of the mandate on CTA and Metra vehicles. While masks will no longer be required, COVID-19 cases have been increasing recently across Chicago and the nation, and we encourage individuals to continue to wear masks voluntarily in crowded spaces such as public transportation. The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings.

In addition, please note that the recent changes do not affect UChicago’s mask requirements in healthcare settings. UChicago Medicine is maintaining its own masking policies, and these policies apply to active clinicians in the Biological Sciences Division and clinical settings in the BSD related to healthcare. Additional requirements may apply in areas of the Student Wellness Center and at the COVID-19 Testing Site at the Walker Museum.

Symptomatic Testing

With additional cases on our campus and across the city, we encourage anyone with potential symptoms of COVID-19 to stay home and schedule a test. As we have indicated previously, the procedures and locations for symptomatic testing are different than those for voluntary testing. This is done in order to keep people with potential symptoms of COVID-19 separate from others to the extent possible.

If you are symptomatic and need a test:

  • Students and employees with a UChicago Medicine MyChart account can login to complete a virtual screening. Based on the results of the screening, you may be eligible to schedule an appointment for a drive-up or walk-in swab PCR test at UCM’s Hyde Park curbside clinic.

  • Visit the City of Chicago’s website for alternative symptomatic testing locations.

Experts recommend that if you are symptomatic and receive a negative result from antigen/rapid test (including at-home tests), you should still also take a PCR test, which has a lower chance of giving false negative results. It is possible for a symptomatic individual to receive a negative antigen/rapid test result and subsequently test positive with a PCR test days later.

April 15, 2022 Update

Increase In Cases

There are increases in COVID-19 cases on campus and citywide. For comparison – Chicago’s current daily average of 455 cases is up 45% from last week, though it is still down more than 90% from the city’s peak in early January. There are now 64 students in on-campus isolation housing. Housing & Residence Life is using isolation-in-place for a limited number of cases until numbers return to a lower level. This approach was used on a temporary basis in Winter Quarter. We will continue to rely on the guidance of experts at UChicago Medicine.

Use Caution

Remember: Please stay home if you are ill. If you get tested because you have potential symptoms of COVID-19, please wear a mask around others until you receive a negative result and stay home until symptoms have resolved – this includes classes or events. Anyone who is a known close contact of someone with COVID-19 must wear a face covering around others for 10 days from the date of their last contact with someone with COVID-19. Please see UChicago’s exposure protocol for more information.

April 8, 2022 Update

Continuing Precautions

Some of the upticks we have seen in COVID-19 metrics over the past week on campus and citywide are due to people with cold-like symptoms coming to school or work. It is important to continue taking precautions such as monitoring for potential symptoms, staying home when sick, and getting a PCR test and masking vigilantly when in doubt. Please remember that we are still in a dynamic COVID-19 environment.

Voluntary testing is available to members of the University community at the Walker Museum testing site on the main quadrangle. You can schedule a test through the Voluntary Testing Program by visiting my.WellnessPortal. New participants must complete the program consent forms. There is no need to commit to weekly testing.

Convenings on Campus

At this time, the University does not recommend or require that event organizers request or require visitors to present proof of vaccination or testing for admission to convenings on campus; however, units continue to have discretion to set event-specific proof requirements for visitors (defined as anyone who is not a UChicago employee or student).

April 1, 2022 Update

Mask-Optional Policy for Classrooms Starting on April 4

The University will make most classroom settings mask optional starting Monday, April 4. As in other spaces on campus, anyone is free to wear masks. We ask that everyone be courteous of others and respect each other’s choices. While anyone may ask others to wear masks, starting April 4 no one is obligated to do so in classrooms, and individual instructors may not set masking policies for classes. Instructors and students can request accommodations related to masking requirements or COVID-19. See the Masking Policy FAQ on the UChicago Forward website for more information on the accommodation request process and other details of the University masking policy.

On-Demand Testing Available

We have seen some increase in COVID-19 cases on campus and citywide in the last week. As a precaution, we encourage members of the University community to take advantage of on-demand testing on campus. You can schedule a test through the Voluntary Testing Program by visiting my.WellnessPortal. New participants must complete the program consent forms. There is no need to commit to weekly testing.

Spring Break COVID-19 Testing Site Hours

The Walker Museum testing site will have reduced hours (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) during spring break. As a reminder, the Walker Museum site is open Monday through Friday.

Report All Cases of COVID-19

Please remember to report all cases of COVID-19 to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu. University protocols continue to require mask wearing for anyone who has recently been a close contact of someone with COVID-19, as well as anyone who has recently been in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

March 18, 2022 Update

Mask-Optional Policy for Classrooms Starting on April 4

In the weeks since the University adopted a mask-optional policy for most of campus, COVID-19 cases and other key metrics have continued to improve at the University and in the City of Chicago.

In consultation with experts at UChicago Medicine, the University will make most classroom settings mask-optional starting April 4. This will be one week after the start of Spring Quarter for most of the University and the delay will allow for a transition period as students and others return from travel over spring break. People who travel are strongly encouraged to get tested before they leave and upon their return, and to isolate as needed if they test positive for COVID-19.

As in other spaces on campus, anyone is free to wear masks. We ask that everyone be courteous of others and respect each others’ choices. While anyone may ask others to wear masks, starting April 4 no one is obligated to do so in classrooms, and individual instructors may not set masking policies for classes. Instructors and students can request accommodations related to masking requirements or COVID-19. See the Masking Policy FAQ on the UChicago Forward website for more information on the accommodation request process and other details of the University masking policy. Note that mask requirements detailed in the University’s exposure protocol still apply.

UChicago Medicine will maintain its own masking policies, and those policies will be followed by active clinicians in the Biological Sciences Division and clinical settings in the BSD related to healthcare. Because Spring Quarter starts one week earlier at the Law School than in most of the University, the Law School will lift its classroom masking mandate on March 28. Separate masking requirements will continue to apply to areas of the Student Wellness Center, COVID-19 testing sites, UChicago buses and shuttles, the Laboratory Schools, and UChicago Charter School.

Reminder: COVID-19 Testing for Travel Purposes

With spring break approaching, the University recommends that travelers get tested before and immediately after traveling. COVID-19 positivity rates differ depending on the location, so getting tested—even if you are asymptomatic—is highly recommended to help protect your health and others.

Individuals can self-schedule a test through the Voluntary Testing Program by visiting my.WellnessPortal. New participants must complete the program consent forms. There is no need to commit to weekly testing.

Members of the University community who are planning international travel are always encouraged to refer to the University’s travel planning resources and register your travel on UChicago Traveler.

Spring Break COVID-19 Testing Site Hours

The Walker Museum testing site will have reduced hours (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) during spring break. As a reminder, the Walker Museum site is open Monday through Friday.

Gleacher Center COVID-19 Testing Site Closing

Today is the last day to get a COVID-19 test at the Gleacher Center site. Members of the University community can still arrange for testing through the University’s voluntary surveillance testing program Monday through Friday at the Walker Museum site (Suite 309).

March 11, 2022 Update

Reminder: COVID-19 Testing for Travel Purposes

With spring break approaching, the University recommends that travelers get tested before and immediately after traveling. COVID-19 positivity rates differ depending on the location, so getting tested—even if you are asymptomatic—is highly recommended to help protect your health and others.

Individuals can self-schedule a test through the Voluntary Testing Program by visiting my.WellnessPortal. New participants must complete the program consent forms. There is no need to commit to weekly testing.

Members of the University community who are planning international travel are always encouraged to refer to the University’s travel planning resources and register your travel on UChicago Traveler.

Spring Break COVID-19 Testing Site Hours

The Walker Museum testing site will have reduced hours (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) during spring break. As a reminder, the Walker Museum site is open Monday through Friday.

Gleacher Center COVID-19 Testing Site Closing

Friday, March 18 is the last day to get a COVID-19 test at the Gleacher Center site. Members of the University community can still arrange for testing through the University’s voluntary surveillance testing program Monday through Friday at the Walker Museum site (Suite 309).

Masking Signage on UChicago Forward

Updated masking-related signage is available for printing and posting on UChicago Forward.

Updated Approval Processes

The University transitioned last week to a phase of the pandemic where units may choose to suspend the review and approval processes that all units put in place last July for workplace, travel, and event requests. Note that the discontinuation of university-wide requirements for workplace plans is separate from any remote work pilots or remote work long-range planning that your unit may be undertaking.

While such controls may be needed again if conditions change, reviews and approvals for workplace, travel, and events are not required by the University at this time.

March 4, 2022 Update

Campus Masking Requirements—Changes in Effect Today

The University of Chicago is mask-optional for much of campus, effective today. The mask requirement will remain through the end of Winter Quarter on March 19 for courses held in classrooms and other instructional spaces during instruction. For a list of frequently asked questions about the changes, please visit the masking policy FAQ on the UChicago Forward website.

Masks are still required in some settings (for example, where healthcare is provided) and may be used voluntarily in others. The University recommends always keeping a mask with you for such situations.

UChicago Medicine will maintain its own masking policies. Active clinicians in the Biological Sciences Division and clinical settings in the BSD related to healthcare will continue to follow UChicago Medicine’s policies. In keeping with the City of Chicago’s continuing mask mandate for health care settings, additional requirements may apply in certain areas of the Student Wellness Center and in the COVID-19 Testing Sites at Walker Museum and the Gleacher Center. Masks are required on UChicago buses and shuttles, such as UGo.

Please remember that regardless of mask mandates, many members of our community will still use masks as a precaution. We ask for everyone to be respectful of others’ privacy and choices.

COVID-19 Testing for Travel Purposes

With spring break approaching, the University recommends that those who are traveling get tested before and immediately after travel. Individuals can self-schedule a test through the Voluntary Testing Program by visiting my.WellnessPortal. New participants must complete the program consent forms. There is no need to commit to weekly testing.

As a reminder, members of the University who are planning international travel are always encouraged to refer to the University’s travel planning resources and register your travel on UChicago Traveler.

Guidance for University-sponsored Meetings and Convenings

Effective today, there is no University-wide requirement for approval or the use of a request form for non-instructional convenings on campus. Individual divisions, schools, and administrative units may continue to require internal processes for meeting requests and approval. For more information, including recommendations to promote the health and safety of participants, visit the UChicago Forward website.

Residence Hall Community Kitchens

Housing and Residence Life is reopening community kitchens in residence halls, effective today.

February 25, 2022 Update

March 4 Change to Campus Masking Requirements

The University of Chicago will go mask optional for much of campus beginning March 4. The mask requirement for classrooms and other instructional settings will remain through the end of Winter Quarter on March 19 to maintain continuity for students and instructors in classroom settings.

The City of Chicago announced this week that it is lifting its own mask mandate for most indoor spaces on February 28, in alignment with the State of Illinois. The city’s mask requirement remains in place for public transit, health care settings, and public schools.

As of March 4, masks will not be required in most non-medical campus office settings, on-campus residence halls, retail stores, and dining spaces. Using the next week to transition to the change in policy will allow time for people to plan, and have necessary questions answered. We will provide answers to frequently asked questions about masking policies next week. Please note that UChicago Medicine will maintain its own masking policies, including requirements for patient-facing duties. The Laboratory Schools and UChicago Charter School will communicate separately about their masking policies.

Please remember that regardless of mask mandates, many members of our community will still use masks as a precaution. We ask for everyone to be respectful of others’ privacy and choices.

Mandatory Testing Update

With declining case numbers on campus and in the Chicago area, and based on guidance from experts at UChicago Medicine, the residential testing program is moving back to a voluntary model starting on Monday, February 28. Mandatory testing will continue for students and employees who are subject to weekly testing due to their vaccination status.

As a reminder, members of the community who are symptomatic should self-isolate and arrange for a COVID-19 test. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must report their positive test to the Contact Tracing at C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu.

 

February 18, 2022 Update

KN95 Mask Distribution
Free KN95 masks are available for students and employees. You can pick them up from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Front Desk Reception of the Quadrangle Club (1155 E. 57th St.) through Monday, February 28.

Mask Requirements – City of Chicago
Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady indicated this week that the city is continuing to track COVID-19 metrics and is likely to make a decision next week whether the city will lift its indoor mask mandate by February 28 in alignment with the State of Illinois. As a reminder, the University of Chicago is subject to the City of Chicago’s mask mandate.

The University will continue to follow guidance from the city and experts at UChicago Medicine, and we will update you with any changes that affect the University community. As indicated last week, the University may take a more cautious approach and continue to require wearing masks for a period even if mandates are lifted.

Please bear in mind that regardless of mask mandates, many members of our community will still use masks as a precaution. We ask for everyone to be respectful of others’ privacy and choices as the situation evolves.

Isolation-in-Place Update
Isolation-in-place is continuing to be used on a limited basis in cases where students in on-campus housing can minimize contact with others. The number of students in isolation housing at Stony Island has fluctuated as students cycle through or leave after testing negative. We will continue to monitor the number of on-campus students in isolation to determine if the temporary isolation-in-place measures in residence halls are still necessary.

Mandatory Testing Update
With guidance from experts at UChicago Medicine, the University is evaluating whether mandatory weekly testing, which has been in place since the Omicron variant emerged, is still needed for all those living in campus residence halls. If current COVID-19 trends in the Chicago area continue to improve, the residential testing program is likely to move to a voluntary model as soon as Monday, February 28. We will update participants in the program in the next week.

Please note, weekly testing will continue to be mandatory for students and employees who are subject to weekly testing due to their vaccination status.

As a reminder, members of the community who are symptomatic should self-isolate and arrange for a COVID-19 test. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must report their positive test to the Contact Tracing at C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu.

February 11, 2022 Update

State of Illinois Changing Mask Requirements With lower COVID-19 figures nationwide, some states and cities are moving to lift indoor mask mandates or are considering changes. On Wednesday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that the state will no longer require masks in most indoor settings by February 28, though the change would not impact N-12 schools. The University of Chicago is subject to the City of Chicago mask mandate, which remains in effect for now. You can find the University’s masking policies in the health requirements section of the UChicago Forward website.

The Chicago Department of Public Health has indicated that it will monitor COVID-19 indicators in the coming weeks, and plans to lift some mitigation measures such as the masking mandate if numbers continue to improve. We also hope to learn from the experiences and data in areas that lift their mandates sooner. The University will continue to follow guidance from the city and experts at UChicago Medicine, and we will update you with any changes that affect the University community.

Please bear in mind that immediately following changes in mask mandates at state and city levels, some members of our community will still use masks as a precaution. The University may also take a cautious approach and continue to require wearing masks for a period even if mandates are lifted. We ask for everyone to be respectful of others’ privacy and choices as the situation evolves.

Change in Classroom COVID-19 Exposure Notifications Beginning next week, the University will focus contact tracing notifications on individuals who had known contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Previously, out of an abundance of caution, the contact tracing team has also notified entire classrooms when someone in the class tested positive and did not know or could not remember who was sitting within 6 feet of them. However, over the last two years there has been no evidence of a cluster of cases or spread at the University tied to classroom exposure. Vaccination and masking requirements have further limited the risk.

University contact tracing efforts will continue, and notifications will still be sent to the known close contacts of someone infected with COVID-19. The University will continue to closely track classroom data to verify that new cases are not tied to classroom exposure. 

Resumption of the Voluntary Testing Program The Voluntary Testing Program, which was paused to accommodate increased demand for symptomatic and exposure testing, and mandatory testing of residence in on-campus housing, will resume on Monday, February 14. Unlike Autumn Quarter, voluntary testing for Winter Quarter is on-demand, with no need to commit to weekly testing. This change is to increase accessibility of testing for travel and other purposes. Individuals will need to self-schedule their test by visiting the my.WellnessPortal.

Slots are available for new Voluntary Testing Program participants during Winter Quarter. To participate, you must be a member of the UChicago community, and cannot have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior. You must also complete the program consent forms. As reminder, this saliva-based PCR test requires that participants refrain from eating, drinking, using tobacco, chewing gum, or using oral hygiene products for 60 minutes prior to their testing appointment.

Voluntary testing takes place at the Walker Museum, Suite 309, located on the main quadrangle Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. until 4:45p.m. and on Fridays at the Gleacher Center. For questions about the program, please contact C19Testing@uchicago.edu or visit the UChicago Forward website.

Stuart Hall Symptomatic Testing Site Closing Due to greatly decreased demand for symptomatic testing among members of the University community and increased capacity to access testing at other facilities, today is the last day that symptomatic testing will be administered in the Stuart Hall location. You can still obtain symptomatic testing through these options:

  • Visit the City of Chicago’s website for alternative symptomatic testing locations.
  • Students and employees with a UChicago Medicine MyChart account can login to complete a virtual screening.  Students without a MyChart account can call Student Wellness (773.834.WELL) for screening and scheduling. Employees without a MyChart account can call 773-702-2800.

COVID-19 Self-Collection Testing for University Housing Residents Following a successful pilot last week, the University has transitioned its COVID-19 testing to a self-collect model in University residence halls. Instructions were sent on Wednesday to those living on campus. For questions, please contact C19Testing@uchicago.edu.

Isolation-in-Place Being Used on a Limited Basis  A limited number of students who live in on-campus housing are currently isolating in place in University residence halls as a precautionary measure to help manage cases and conserve space in the Stony Island isolation housing facility. While there are rooms available, and they will continue to be used, in Stony Island, this limited step is being used in cases where students can minimize contact with others. As we shared with students previously, the University’s isolation-in-place procedures, created with guidance from the CDC and experts at the University of Chicago Medicine, are consistent with guidance provided to off-campus students who have isolated in their residences. In residence halls where students are isolating in place, bathrooms are designated for their use (denoted by clear signage) only.

In the last two days, surveillance testing detected about 40 additional cases of COVID-19 among students, which led to the limited use of isolation-in-place as a precautionary step. In addition to conserving space at Stony Island, this step has helped the office of Housing and Residence Life respond quickly to the new cases. University contact tracing indicates that these cases stem from social events, not classroom exposure. Although COVID-19 case counts are declining in Chicago, it remains critically important to continue following the University’s health requirements

The University is closely monitoring the available isolation space for on-campus students and will resume typical procedures when possible. We will inform residential students and staff when this precautionary measure is no longer necessary.

February 4, 2022 Update

Winter Quarter – Update on Temporary Measures The University continues to consult with UChicago Medicine and to closely monitor conditions on campus. As a result of positive trends in the COVID-19 metrics, the University is making four changes that are effective immediately.

  1. Speakers may pull down their mask temporarily while actively speaking or presenting in order to be heard or understood. They should return their mask to its position over their nose and mouth when not actively speaking.
  2. Students in on-campus housing may now visit students in other residence halls. 
  3. Convenings of any size may be approved by units, including those with food and beverage; organizers should follow the University’s revised guidance for convening.
  4. Unvaccinated individuals are no longer required to seek approval prior to international travel from the Pandemic Travel Risk Committee though units may have their own requirement. Unvaccinated individuals traveling internationally must closely review local requirements as some countries may not permit unvaccinated travelers to enter.

While our community’s relatively low infection rate makes these adjustments possible, masking in most circumstances remains an important mitigation at this time. Visit UChicago Forward for the updated masking policy. 

Free Mask Distribution The University distributed more than 12,000 surgical masks to UChicago students and employees through the Quadrangle Club over the past two weeks. Thank you to everyone at the University who worked to make this possible.

January 28, 2022 Update

Winter Quarter

Thank you for our University community’s commitment to COVID-19 safety measures during the first week of in-person instruction. The results so far on our campus have reflected an overall decrease from the peak of the Omicron wave, with 1.73% of asymptomatic students and employees testing positive for COVID-19 this week. Positivity rates and total infections in the City of Chicago have continued to decrease. The daily average of cases in Chicago is about one-fourth of the peak average at the start of January.

We are deeply grateful for the members of the testing team and contact tracing team, who continue to work diligently to limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

Update on Temporary Measures

Although we still have additional precautions because of Omicron, some of these steps are intended to be temporary. The University is monitoring conditions with experts from UChicago Medicine to see when conditions will allow some additional precautions to be rolled back, such as the office of Housing & Residence Life restriction on visitors from other residence halls and the requirement for instructors and students to wear masks while actively speaking or presenting in classrooms. We will provide an update on February 4 once we have more data about infections on campus.

In the meantime, the University is maintaining many of the important precautions put in place since early December, and we continue to urge members of the University to avoid large social gatherings or unmasked interactions while cases remain elevated.

Booster Requirement Reminder
University employees
must take steps to comply with the University’s COVID-19 booster requirement by January 31.

Free Mask Distribution Reminder
Reminder that free surgical masks are available to UChicago students and employees for pick-up at the front desk reception of the Quadrangle Club (1155 E. 57th St.) from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mask distribution is being extended through Sunday, January 30.

January 21, 2022 Update

Winter Quarter
As noted in today’s message to the University community, we are moving forward with plans to resume in-person instruction on January 24, in consultation with experts at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Since early December the University has taken many steps in response to the surge in cases; you can find a brief summary of recent changes and added precautions on the UChicago Forward site. Please remember that eligible students must take steps to comply with the University’s COVID-19 booster requirement by January 24; for University employees, the deadline is January 31. We urge members of the University to avoid large social gatherings or unmasked interactions as our community returns to campus and while cases remain high.

Free Mask Distribution To help uphold safety in classrooms and office settings, free disposable masks will be available to UChicago students and employees for pick-up at the front desk reception of the Quadrangle Club (1155 E. 57th St.). Masks will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 23 through Friday, January 28.

Masking Requirements Masking is required  in all University buildings with limited exceptions, and it is essential to follow masking requirements in classrooms, shared office space and meeting rooms. The University does not require individuals to wear a certain type of mask on campus, but has updated its guidance to strongly recommend a double mask (a surgical mask worn beneath a cloth mask) or a KN95 or KF94 mask. Single-layer cloth masks are not recommended.

All masks should fit snugly against the sides of the face with no gaps. The CDC has provided updated guidance on choosing a type of mask or respirator for different situations.

January 14, 2022 Update

Winter Quarter

Plans are in place for a return to an in-person instructional format on January 24 as previously announced, and the University will provide additional information in the coming week. While COVID-19 test positivity rates on campus and in Chicago have trended downward slightly in recent days from highs last week, the continuing risk from the Omicron variant highlights the importance of following the University’s health requirements, including masking requirements, vaccination and booster requirements, and exposure protocols.

It is vital for our community to continue working together to help limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus, including avoiding large social gatherings or unmasked interactions as our community returns to campus and while cases remain high. If you test positive, please report it to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu, even if your case emerges before your return to Chicago or the result comes from a facility elsewhere. This will give us an accurate picture of the pandemic in our community and help our contact tracing team provide you with guidance and support.

COVID-19 Testing Programs at the University

This week the University announced changes to COVID-19 testing on campus. Below is a summary of the University’s COVID-19 testing programs.

  • Symptomatic Testing: Stuart Hall Room 007 in the lower level is now the exclusive campus location for symptomatic testing.
    • The University’s testing locations at the Walker Museum (open Monday through Friday) and Gleacher Center (open on Fridays) will provide asymptomatic testing only (for the Mandatory Surveillance Testing and Exposure Testing Programs).
  • Exposure Testing Program: Students and employees who do not have COVID-19 symptoms and have been informed by the University and/or a medical or public health entity, or have reason to believe that they had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person, can sign-up for a test on the my.WellnessPortal and complete the required consent and HIPPA forms here.
  • Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program: Students and employees with an approved medical or religious exemption for vaccination or booster shots are subject to mandatory weekly testing. The University is also requiring all individuals living in residence halls, regardless of vaccination status, to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing as part of the Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program until further notice. The requirement also applies to winter sport athletes.
  • Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program: This program has been temporarily paused to accommodate greatly increased demand for people with symptoms, those who have been exposed to COVID-19, and those who must be tested to meet University or public health requirements.

To schedule a symptomatic or exposure test, please login to the my.WellnessPortal.

University Actions to Uphold the Health and Safety of our Community During the Omicron Surge

Due to the recent COVID-19 surge in Chicago and around the United States, the University has put in place many important measures to help limit the spread and severity of the virus on campus. For a brief summary of recent actions, visit the UChicago Forward website.

In-Person Work for Employees

Many administrative offices have continued in-person activities in recent weeks, and others will increase in-person schedules as other in-person activities resume on campus. Individual administrative units will determine specific changes regarding in-person work, and employees should bring inquiries or requests to supervisors.

January 7, 2022 Update

Update on the Omicron Variant COVID-19 cases are continuing to surge in Chicago and around the United States, with the Omicron variant accounting for more than 95% of all new cases in the U.S. in the week that ended January 1, according to CDC data. The average daily positivity rate in Chicago continues to reach new highs, with about 5,000 daily cases throughout the city. Illinois has seen cases increase by about 60% in the last week. At the University of Chicago Medicine, the record-setting case levels from the Omicron variant continue to strain in-patient capacity, ICU beds, COVID-19 testing, and other crucial operations. Although most students and employees have not yet returned to campus, the number of reported cases among members of the University community has greatly increased in recent weeks, reflecting the nationwide increase.

With Winter Quarter instruction beginning remotely next week, these trends highlight the importance of adhering to the University’s health requirements, including masking requirements, vaccination and booster requirements, and exposure protocols.

Masking Requirements Members of the University community are required to wear a face covering over the nose and the mouth at all times while in University buildings, with limited exceptions. The University recommends masks that have two or more layers and fit snugly against the sides of the face with no gaps. If available, the University recommends using close-fitting masks such as KN95 or surgical masks. Although the use of cloth masks meets the University’s requirements, we do not recommend single-layer cloth masks, particularly those that let light shine through.

Testing

  • The weekly Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program is being paused to accommodate greatly increased demand for people with symptoms, those who have been exposed to COVID-19, and those who must be tested to meet University or public health requirements. The University’s  testing programs at the Walker Museum and Gleacher Center were recently expanded to include symptomatic and exposure testing. We will seek to resume weekly voluntary testing after the current demand for testing has subsided.
  • Walk-in testing is not available – if you do not already have an appointment, you must self-schedule a test or contact the testing team at [C19Testing@uchicago.edu]C19Testing@uchicago.edu.
  • Please note, the Walker Museum testing site will have reduced hours of 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on January 17 for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
  • We anticipate longer testing wait times given the increased demand.
  • The University is requiring all individuals living in residence halls, including students, faculty, staff members, and their families, regardless of vaccination status, to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing as part of the Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program until further notice. The requirement also applies to winter sport athletes.

Reminder: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Requirement More than 6,000 members of the University community have already uploaded proof of receiving a booster shot in the University’s my.WellnessPortal in accordance with the requirement for students and employees announced last month.We encourage everyone to get their COVID-19 booster shot as soon as possible, and upload proof of compliance before your return to campus for Winter Quarter.

To meet the booster shot requirement,

  • Students who are eligible for a booster must, by January 24, 2022, take one of the steps outlined in the student email.
  • Employees who are eligible for a booster must, by January 31, 2022, take one of the steps outlined in the employee email.

Individuals are eligible to receive a booster shot five months after completing the Pfizer-BioNTech, six months after completing the Moderna vaccine series, or two months after receiving Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Students and employees are required to receive a booster shot or seek an exemption within 30 days of becoming eligible. If you received a vaccination that was approved by the World Health Organization but not the CDC (for example if you were vaccinated outside the U.S.), consult the CDC’s page on boosters for further information on when to obtain FDA-approved single booster shot.

Students and employees with an approved medical or religious exemption for vaccination or booster shot are subject to mandatory weekly testing. Information on how to sign-up for weekly testing is available here.

Please note that the CDC now recommends COVID-19 booster shots for everyone12 years and older. Visit vaccines.gov to find a nearby authorized provider of vaccine booster shots. For more information about booster shots, visit UChicago Medicine’s website.

Contact Tracing The significant increase in cases is affecting our contact tracing capacity. The University’s contact tracing team is emailing individuals who have tested positive and those who have been exposed to COVID-19, offering guidance as appropriate; in some cases, the team may call individuals who test positive in addition to the email. The team’s response times may be affected by the increase in cases – we appreciate your patience and continued cooperation with the contact tracing team.

December 10, 2021 Update

Masking and the Omicron Variant

We continue to follow updates about the Omicron variant and regularly consult with experts at the University of Chicago Medicine on any steps that may be warranted. In light of the potential risk from Omicron, it is essential for members of the University community to follow all requirements for masking and other health precautions – please review the University’s full masking requirements policy. The policy requires all vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear face coverings that cover the nose and mouth at all times while in University buildings, with limited exceptions.

While this is the last regular COVID-19 Update this calendar year, we will send further updates about additional steps regarding the Omicron variant if needed.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

The University encourages everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. Everyone ages 16 and over is now eligible to get a booster shot. You can find an authorized provider on vaccines.gov. There are multiple authorized providers within one mile of the University’s main zip code (60637).

 

COVID-19 Testing for Travel, Exposure and Gatherings

Before boarding a flight departing to the U.S. from an international location, all air passengers two years or older are required show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. For more information, visit the CDC’s website.

 

As a reminder, anyone needing COVID-19 testing related to travel, gatherings, or potential COVID-19 exposure may schedule an appointment on campus through my.WellnessPortal at no cost. This does not obligate you to commit to weekly testing if you are not in an existing testing program. If you are not already enrolled in either the Mandatory or Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs, you must complete the Voluntary Surveillance Testing consent form prior to being tested.

 

Further Guidance on Attending Gatherings

If you plan to attend gatherings this holiday season, experts recommend avoiding gatherings where the prevalence of vaccination and public health compliance are unknown to you. If you attend a large gathering where you do not know the general rate of vaccination or where there may be loose adherence to health and safety protocols, testing before and/or after attendance is encouraged. Attending large gatherings presents an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 and its variants, including risks for you and those in contact with you; avoiding large gatherings reduces your personal risk of exposure. 

 

Campus Meeting Guidance

At this time the University is not planning to adjust its Non-Instruction Meeting Guidance or limit event participation, but we encourage vigilance among event organizers and attendees in following recommendations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. For all events, the University advises requiring masks generally and providing social distance for anyone actively eating or drinking, limiting event duration, choosing venues with breathing room for attendees, and advocating for vaccination in event communications. Some venues may require visitors to provide proof of vaccination, to complement the University’s vaccination requirements for students and employees.

December 3, 2021 Update

Omicron Variant We are closely following updates about the new Omicron variant of coronavirus, and we continue to regularly consult with experts at the University of Chicago Medicine on any steps that may be warranted by this or other pandemic developments. The World Health Organization considers Omicron a variant of concern because of its high number of mutations. Scientists are still studying factors such as its transmissibility, susceptibility to vaccines, and whether Omicron can cause more severe disease. While the evidence thus far does not support changes to the University’s extensive precautions against COVID-19, we will communicate immediately if additional steps are needed.

Many countries are in the process of changing travel restrictions due to the Omicron variant or local outbreaks, potentially affecting the ability of travelers to return to the U.S. If you are traveling, you should check on any vaccination, testing, and/or quarantine requirements for your trip, and continue to monitor this information frequently as requirements may change with short notice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s travel page can help.

The University’s COVID-19 Travel Policy has not changed. However, we encourage members of the University community to carefully consider whether planned international travel is necessary.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots As of November 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has broadened its COVID-19 vaccine guidance and now recommends that all vaccinated individuals ages 18 and older get a booster shot. The University encourages everyone who is eligible to receive booster shots.

For people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, the CDC recommends individuals get a booster at least six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series. The CDC recommends individuals who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine get a booster at least two months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination. Regardless of which vaccine you received, your booster shot may be any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States, according to the CDC.

For information about vaccination and booster doses available through UChicago Medicine, visit its website. Vaccines.gov is another good resource to find a booster shot.

COVID-19 Testing for Travel, Exposure and Gatherings With winter break approaching, the University encourages all travelers to schedule a supplemental test immediately before returning to Chicago, and after your return to campus. You should also consider testing before and after attending large gatherings. We encourage you to continue wearing masks whenever possible.

Anyone needing COVID-19 testing related to travel, gatherings, or potential COVID-19 exposure may schedule an appointment on campus through my.WellnessPortal at no cost. This does not obligate you to commit to weekly testing if you are not in an existing testing program. If you are not already enrolled in either the Mandatory or Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs, you must complete the Voluntary Surveillance Testing consent form prior to being tested.

Please note changes to on-campus testing site schedules due to winter break and holidays: December 10 is the last day testing will be available at the Gleacher Center for the year. It will reopen January 4.

The Walker Museum testing site will operate normal hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. appointment times) through December 16. It will close at 12 p.m. December 17, and close at 1 p.m. December 20-22 and December 27-29. It will be closed December 23-24 and December 30-31 and will resume its normal schedule January 3. 

For more information, see the testing webpage and testing FAQ.

COVID-19 Testing for Travel, Exposure and Gatherings If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19:

  • Faculty, academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, and staff members should call the UCM triage hotline at 773.702.2800 to arrange a test and receive any needed medical attention.
  • Students should callUChicago Student Wellness at 773.834.WELL.
  • Employees of UCM or the Biological Sciences Division may call 773.702.6819

November 19, 2021 Update

These regular updates are intended to inform the University community about the latest data and developments related to COVID-19 on our campus, and help reinforce public health precautions in response to the pandemic. For more information, please visit the UChicago Forward website.

There will not be a COVID-19 Update on November 26 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular updates will resume December 3.

COVID-19 Testing Site Closures Over Thanksgiving Holiday The University’s COVID-19 testing sites at the Walker Museum and Gleacher Center will be closed Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. (Both sites are always closed Saturdays and Sundays.) All tests conducted Tuesday, November 23, will be processed as normal, with results available within 48 hours or sooner.

Participants in the Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program who were scheduled to be tested on a day the testing sites are closed should schedule an alternative appointment within 7 days via my.WellnessPortal to remain compliant with University policy. Voluntary participants are encouraged to schedule an alternative appointment. Members of the campus community who were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and require exposure testing during the site closures should get tested through an outside provider or use the UChicago Medical Center curbside testing program, which will be open Saturday, November 27.

The Walker Museum will reopen for testing on Monday, November 29. Gleacher Center will reopen Tuesday, November 30.

More information about the University’sCOVID-19 testing programsis available on the UChicago Forward website. For testing-related questions not addressed on the UChicago Forward site, contact C19Testing@uchicago.edu or 773.702.8450.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today authorized the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for all fully-vaccinated U.S. adults. The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering whether to grant authorization for all U.S. adults—a required step before booster shots can be delivered to this expanded group. Those at least 18 years old who live or work in healthcare or school settings, such as the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center, are already eligible under previous guidance to receive a booster. Check with your primary care provider on whether you should get a booster shot. Remember that children ages 5 and up also are eligible for vaccination..

November 12, 2021 Update

Important Reminders about Flu Season Flu season has begun in the United States, and we have seen cases on the UChicago campus. Many flu symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19. It is important to remember the following:

  1. If you are not feeling well, get tested – preferably for both COVID-19 and influenza. UChicago Medicine is now testing for both viruses through its symptomatic testing program.

  2. If you are part of the University’s Mandatory or Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs and are not feeling well, don’t wait for your surveillance testing appointment. Get tested immediately – information for symptomatic testing is available here.

  3. The same precautions that help protect against COVID-19, e.g., masks and regular hand washing, can help prevent the spread of influenza.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for information on signs and symptoms of the flu as well as information on how flu spreads, approved treatments, and the flu vaccine.

Symptomatic COVID-19 Testing for Students Student Wellness has partnered with UChicago Medicine to streamline and expedite COVID-19 testing for students who are symptomatic. Students with symptoms, or who otherwise would like consultation about testing, should call UChicago Student Wellness at 773-834-WELL.

COVID-19 Testing for Members of the University Community Who Have Been Exposed Members of the University community who have been exposed to COVID-19 can now be tested through University’s saliva-based PCR testing program at the Walker Museum or Gleacher Center. Previously, testing was done through UChicago Medicine or another testing provider offering PCR testing. Anyone needing COVID-19 testing due to exposure may schedule an appointment through my.WellnessPortal. If you are not already enrolled in either the Mandatory or Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs, you must complete the Voluntary Surveillance Testing consent form prior to being tested.

Holiday Travel – Local Requirements As a reminder, any member of the University community who chooses to travel must follow local guidelines for quarantining and other COVID-19 measures at the destination and upon their return to Chicago.

For guidelines on returning to Chicago following domestic travel, visit the city of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Advisory.

For international travel requirements, visit the CDC’s International Travel webpage. Note that travel requirements to enter the United States changed on November 8, 2021. Requirements now vary based on citizenship and vaccination status.

Holiday Travel – Testing The University provides no-cost COVID-19 testing to members of the UChicago community who require proof of a negative test prior to international travel. For more information, visit the Testing FAQ(question 22).

Following domestic or international travel, anyone who requires or would like testing may schedule a testing appointment through the University’s testing program via my.WellnessPortal. Individuals who are not already enrolled in either the Mandatory or Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs must complete the Voluntary Surveillance Testing consent form prior to being tested.

November 5, 2021 Update

Video: UChicago Medicine Experts Address Common Questions About COVID-19 Vaccination for Children 5 to 11 Years Old The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week endorsed the recommendation of an advisory panel that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with a reduced dosage of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has authorized the vaccine for children. 

To help address some common questions about the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine and the continued importance of widespread COVID-19 vaccination, we invite you to watch this video(with Q&A transcript) featuring Drs. Allison Bartlett, Monica Peek, and Daniel Johnson from the University of Chicago Medicine.

Comer Children’s is now offering a COVID-19vaccine clinicfor patients ages 5 and up. The Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine is also available in pharmacies, pediatricians’ offices, and other eligible providers.Vaccines.govcan help you find an eligible provider.

October 29, 2021 Update

COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11 The approval process is ongoing for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old. An advisory committee at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted this week to recommend authorizing the vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old. Further consideration is underway at the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Final approval and distribution of vaccines for this age group could happen as soon as next week.

Once approved, vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 should be widely available through primary care providers and vaccine locations across the Chicago area. Vaccines.gov can help you find an eligible provider.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots Students and employees at the University of Chicago may choose to get COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals who are at least 18 years old and live or work in healthcare or school settings, such as the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medicine, are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Check with your primary care provider on whether you should get a booster shot.

October 22, 2021 Update

COVID-19 Updates from the Quarterly Webinar
Thank you to everyone across campus who participated in the October 20 webinar with President Alivisatos, Provost Lee, and other University leaders. The webinar included an extensive COVID-19 update, including the latest vaccination figures. More than 96% of all students are fully vaccinated, including more than 98% of undergraduates in on-campus housing. More than 92% of employees are fully vaccinated, with even higher numbers in some areas, including among instructors.

The webinar addressed a number of questions from viewers, including:

Q: Are there plans to drop the University’s mask requirement?

A: We know this is a frequent question. The University’s approach will be cautious. While we will monitor for potential changes to the City of Chicago’s mask mandate and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), any adjustments to our masking policy may be delayed to allow time to assess the public health situation on our campus.

Q: Will classes be remote after Thanksgiving as they were last year?

A: That is not the University’s plan. The final week of classes as well as final exams are scheduled to be in-person. This year, we have the added benefit of widespread vaccination among members of the University community.

Q: What are the plans for Winter and Spring Quarters?

A: Barring substantial public health changes, the University will be in-person for Winter and Spring Quarters.

Q: For employees who applied for exemptions to the vaccination requirement, when can they expect to hear back?

A: Some notifications will go out this week, with the majority going out next week.

Q: When will people who volunteered for the weekly Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program be contacted?

A: We expect to contact everyone who applied for the program by the end of next week.

Cluster of COVID-19 Cases
This week, over 20 professional school students who were connected with an off-campus social gathering tested positive for COVID-19. The University’s Contact Tracing Team so far has determined that a number of the infected students engaged in in-person activities while they were symptomatic. Following established protocols for potential exposure, all of the students’ close contacts have been notified by the contact tracing team to be tested for COVID-19 and follow University COVID-19 exposure protocols.

Although our community has been successful in limiting the spread of COVID-19 on campus this quarter, these cases highlight the importance of following public health requirements. If you have potential symptoms of COVID-19, it is vital to stay home and get tested. Anyone who has been exposed or tested positive must report that to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu and cooperate fully with contact tracers.

And while the vaccination requirements in place at the University have made it possible to resume most in-person activities, no vaccine provides 100% protection. That is why we require layers of protection, including masking in campus buildings with limited exceptions. Please remain vigilant, including monitoring for symptoms – especially if you have attended a social gathering where masks were removed or lowered.

Redesigned UChicago Forward Website
Visit the newly redesigned UChicago Forward website for the latest information about the University’s COVID-19 precautions.

October 15, 2021 Update

October 15 Deadline: Employee Vaccination Requirement
Today, October 15, is the deadline for all employees to take one of the required steps to comply with the University’s employee vaccination requirement. More than 91% of employees have been vaccinated so far; the University’s goal is for the vaccination rate to be as close to 100% as possible. Vaccination is a crucial part of upholding the health and safety of our community. The University has communicated disciplinary consequences to employees who have not complied with the University’s vaccination requirement.

You can find more information in the Vaccination FAQ.

Autumn Quarter Update Webinar
Join President Alivisatos, Provost Lee and other University leaders on October 20 at 12 p.m. for an Autumn Quarter update webinar. The webinar will include a COVID-19 update and overview of efforts to help keep our campus safe and healthy. Click here to register.

Reminder: Testing Available at Gleacher Center
As a reminder, people who have enrolled in the University’s mandatory or voluntary COVID-19 surveillance testing programs can choose to be tested at Chicago Booth’s downtown Gleacher Center location starting on Tuesday, October 19. Testing at Gleacher will be available twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). If you are interested, please email C19Testing@uchicago.edu for more information

October 8, 2021 Update

These regular updates are intended to inform the University community about the latest data and developments related to COVID-19 on our campus, and help reinforce public health precautions in response to the pandemic. For more information, please visit the UChicago Forward website.

October 15 Deadline: Employee Vaccination Requirement
October 15 is the deadline for all employees to take one of the required steps to comply with the University’s employee vaccination requirement. Approximately 90% of employees have been vaccinated so far; the University’s goal is for the vaccination rate to be as close to 100% as possible. Vaccination is a crucial part of upholding the health and safety of our community. Employees who have not taken the steps required for compliance may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

You can find more information in the Vaccination FAQ.

Initial Testing Results
Of the approximately 4,300 College students living in on-campus housing who were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival for the Autumn Quarter, fewer than five have been placed in temporary isolation housing as a result of testing positive. Among students in on-campus housing, 98 percent have been vaccinated. Overall, 92 people across the University have reported cases of COVID-19 since September 17, including those who reported their cases to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu.

While these figures are encouraging and reflect our community’s commitment to protecting public health, continued vigilance is critical. We are grateful for the University community’s continuing efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please consult the UChicago Forward website for more information on current public health precautions.

Testing Available at Gleacher Center
We are pleased to announce that people who have enrolled in the University’s mandatory or voluntary COVID-19 surveillance testing programs can choose to be tested at Chicago Booth’s downtown Gleacher Center location starting on Tuesday, October 19. Testing at Gleacher will be available twice weekly. If you are interested, please email C19Testing@uchicago.edu for more information.

Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program
Thanks to the many members of our community who applied for the University’s COVID-19 Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program as an additional individual precaution. The testing team will notify those who have been accepted, and testing will begin later this month.

October 1, 2021 Update

These regular updates are intended to inform the University community about the latest data and developments related to COVID-19 on our campus, and help reinforce public health precautions in response to the pandemic. For more information, please visit the UChicago Forward website.

Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program
This week the University opened applications for the COVID-19 Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program for the 2021-22 academic year. Any employees and students who are fully vaccinated and will be on campus or in other University facilities in the Chicago area regularly this Autumn Quarter are encouraged to apply to take part. See the September 30 announcement for more information on the program and how to apply.

Reminder: Employee Vaccination Requirement
The University announced last week that all University employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have applied for and have been granted a medical or religious exemption. All employees must take one of the required steps to comply with the requirement by October 15. For instructions on completing these steps, including information for employees who are still in the process of being vaccinated, please refer to last week’s message and the Vaccination FAQ.

University COVID-19 Travel Policy
The University has revised its COVID-19 travel restriction, effective October 4, 2021. Approval of the Pandemic Travel Review Committee (PTRC), a committee appointed by the Provost, is only required for any University-supported foreign travel by unvaccinated travelers. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to seek review and approval by the PTRC, regardless of destination.

Booster Shot Update
Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance on who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved as a booster at this time by the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and as of now only people who received the Pfizer vaccine are eligible for the booster. The University does not have a booster shot requirement at this time.

Check with your primary care provider if you have questions about your eligibility for a booster shot. According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for the following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago:

Note: Children ages 12-17 are NOT currently eligible for booster shots.

The University does not currently plan to operate a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for booster administration. Vaccines are now widely available through retail pharmacies, including Walgreens, CVS and other providers. Vaccines.gov can help you find an eligible provider.

September 24, 2021 Update

We will send these regular updates throughout the academic year to inform the University community about the latest data and developments related to COVID-19 on our campus, and help reinforce public health precautions in response to the pandemic. For more information, please visit the UChicago Forward website.

Arrival Testing
The University conducted arrival testing this week for all students living in residence halls. As of this afternoon, 2,220 arrival tests have been conducted for students in on-campus housing, and there are currently fewer than five students in isolation as a result of testing positive. Throughout the academic year you can find the results of the University’s surveillance testing by visiting the COVID-19 Dashboard.

Updated Employee Vaccination Requirement
The University announced on Wednesday that all University employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have applied for and have been granted a medical or religious exemption. All employees must take one of the required steps to comply with the requirement by October 15.  For instructions on completing these steps, including information for employees who are still in the process of being vaccinated, please refer to Wednesday’s message and the Vaccination FAQ.

In-Person Learning for Autumn Quarter
In the last week, students and instructors have received further details on in-person instruction for Autumn Quarter, including policies on masking during class, conditions for teaching remotely, guidance for when students are required to miss a class, and precautions for office hours and other meetings with students. For more information, please refer to the FAQ for in-person learning and the Education page on UChicago Forward.

UChicago Student Wellness, Human Resources Offering Free Flu Shots to Campus Community
UChicago Student Wellness, in collaboration with Human Resources, is offering free flu shots this Autumn Quarter on campus to faculty, other academic appointees, postdoctoral reserachers, staff and students with a University ID. The CDC has advised that flu shots are important for reducing cases of influenza, and to help prevent flu symptoms that could be mistaken for COVID-19.

The online scheduling tool allows you to quickly and easily schedule a flu shot through UChicago Student Wellness, and change, or cancel your appointment. We encourage you to make your appointment online as soon as possible. Appointments are available throughout October and early November. For more information, see wellness.uchicago.edu/flushots.

Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program
Instructions will be provided next week to enroll in the Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program. This program is open to fully vaccinated members of the community, including faculty, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and students.

New Guidelines for Meetings and Events
Earlier this week, the University published revised guidelines for meetings, convenings, and events. Units are permitted to ask visitors to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test as a condition of admission to certain convenings on and off campus, as may be required by the venue or event organizer.

Reminder: Complete Annual COVID-19 Attestation by Sept. 27
September 27 is the deadline for members of the University community – whether or not they will be on campus – to complete the new COVID-19 health requirements attestation for the 2021-22 academic year.  Visit the COVID-19 Health Requirements page on UChicago Forward for information about the attestation; you can complete the attestation here.

September 10, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Monthly COVID-19 Update, you will find a reminder of the public health precautions for return to campus, a reminder to complete the annual COVID-19 Attestation by September 27,and a video with experts from UChicago Medicine answering common COVID-19 questions.

Note: This is the last Monthly COVID-19 Update of the summer. Regular updates will resume during Autumn Quarter.

Public Health Precautions for Return to Campus
Last month, Provost Ka Yee C. Lee and Katie Callow-Wright, Executive Vice President of the University and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, detailed the many public health precautions the University has put in place for the return to campus this Autumn Quarter.

If you have questions about the return to campus, please email coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu

Reminder: Complete Annual COVID-19 Attestation by Sept. 27
All members of the University community – whether or not they will be on campus – must complete a new COVID-19 health requirements attestation for the 2021-22 academic year by Sept. 27.  Some schools may require an earlier completion date and will communicate accordingly. Visit the COVID-19 Health Requirements page on UChicago Forward for information about the attestation; you can complete the attestation here.

Video: UChicago Medicine Experts Answer Common COVID-19 Questions
To help address some common medical questions about the Delta variant, the public health precautions in place for Autumn Quarter, and the continued importance of widespread COVID-19 vaccination, we invite you to watch this video featuring Dr. Emily Landon and Dr. Stephen Weber from the University of Chicago Medicine.

COVID-19 Testing for Unvaccinated Individuals
Unvaccinated individuals recently received information on the Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program for the 2021-22 academic year. The testing program is required for those who remain unvaccinated and are coming to University facilities in the Chicago area; the program begins next week, though the start date and enrollment process may vary depending on your return to campus date. Questions related to registration or the testing program should be directed to C19Testing@uchicago.edu.

Information about the University’s voluntary testing program for the new academic year will be announced in the coming weeks.

Building Access
As a reminder, most buildings on campus will continue to require a UChicago ID card to gain access. Students should have access to the buildings in which they reside, dine, exercise, take classes, and study.  Employees will regain broader access to facilities as per pre-pandemic practices. For additional details, please visit the UChicago Forward website.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR has received 58 reports related to COVID-19 issues since the beginning of Summer Quarter on June 21.

Reminder

Please remember to continue self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19, stay home if you are sick, and get tested if you have symptoms or have been in contact with someone with a known or suspected case of the virus. Note that breakthrough infections in those who are fully vaccinated may be relatively mild and resemble a cold or flu.

All members of the UChicago community are required to promptly self-report at C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu if you test positive for COVID-19, experience symptoms, or have been exposed to COVID-19. See the University’s Protocol for Addressing Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 Exposures.

August 13, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Monthly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, a reminder about student and employee vaccination requirements,an updated location for the University Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Program, and a reminder about the University’s masking requirements. 

Note: We will provide a final monthly update next month, with regular updates to follow in Autumn Quarter.

Employees: Submit Vaccination Requirement Today
As announced last month, the University expects every University employee to upload proof of their COVID-19 vaccination in the University’s registry by the end of the day today, August 13, 2021, unless they cannot do so because of a medical or religious reason or other authorized exemption. The majority of employees have already submitted proof of vaccination – thank you very much for your help on this important issue.

If you haven’t yet uploaded proof of vaccination, you can find instructions for submitting proof of vaccination in this message sent to employees on July 14 and in this step-by-step guide. For additional questions, please refer to the University’s Vaccination FAQs.

Students: Submit Vaccination Requirement by September 1
All students participating in in-person classes, research, or activities in the U.S. are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 starting with the 2021 Autumn Quarter. Students who participated in a University in-person or on-campus activity in June, July, or August needed to submit proof of full vaccination by August 1. All other students must provide proof of full vaccination by September 1. There are a limited number of exemptions, as described below and in the University’s Vaccination FAQs.

For details on how to submit documentation or request an exemption, please review this message sent to students on June 10. Thank you to the majority of students who have already submitted proof of vaccination.

New Location for University Asymptomatic COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program
The University’s on-campus asymptomatic COVID-19 surveillance testing program will relocate later this month from Woodlawn Social Service Center (950 E 61st St.) to the Walker Museum (1115 E 58th St. ). Effective Monday, August 23, members of the campus community participating in the Voluntary Testing Program this summer should go to the Walker Museum for their weekly testing. More information about testing programs for Autumn Quarter, including required testing for unvaccinated members of the University community who will be on campus, will be communicated prior to Autumn Quarter.

Updated Masking Requirements
As announced earlier this month, the University revised its masking requirements – effective August 2 – in alignment with recommendations from the CDC, the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and experts at UChicago Medicine.

Unvaccinated and fully vaccinated individuals are required to wear a face covering over the nose and the mouth at all times while in University buildings, with a few limited exceptions. An individual may remove their face coverings if they are in a private room/office alone with the door closed. A fully vaccinated individual may remove their face coverings to eat or drink. An unvaccinated individual may remove their face coverings to eat or drink so long as they maintain six feet of social distance from others.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR has received 23 reports related to COVID-19 issues since the beginning of Summer Quarter on June 21.

July 16, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,
In this edition of the UChicago Forward Monthly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, information about UChicago’s employee vaccination requirement,and an update on guidance for the Phase 5 transition.

Note: This message is the first Monthly COVID-19 Update of the summer; we plan to provide an update in August and September with additional guidance as needed.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

On July 13, after weeks with no states on its Travel Advisory list, the City of Chicago placed two states back on its orange classification level: Missouri and Arkansas. This reflects recent increases in COVID-19 cases in some regions of the country. The city advises unvaccinated people traveling from orange-level states to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chicago, or quarantine for a 10-day period upon arriving in Chicago. Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information.

University Employee Vaccination Requirement
On July 13, the University announced that every University employee is expected to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they cannot do so because of a medical or religious reason or because of other authorized exemptions. Employees should upload proof of their COVID-19 vaccination in the online registry by August 13, 2021.

Students also received instructions in June on how to fulfill their COVID-19 requirement. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination policies for students and University employees, see our vaccination FAQs.

Additional Guidance for Phase 5 Transition
On July 15, Katie Callow-Wright, Executive Vice President of the University and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, wrote to members of the University community with updates on the University’s guidance concerning masking requirements on campus, procedures for visitors and vendors, and the policy for University-supported domestic and international travel.

Please note that masks are still required for passengers and drivers on University shuttles. Although the UChicago shuttle system is privately owned, we are following federal guidelines for public transit, which apply to travel on airplanes, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ride-shares, and other forms of transportation.

Although fully vaccinated individuals generally are no longer required to wear face coverings when indoors, people should continue to carry a face covering with them in the event it is needed when on campus or in a University facility. Many members of our community will choose to maintain social distancing and use face coverings for various reasons. We ask everyone to respect their decisions and act with consideration and respect regarding these choices.

COVID-19 Vaccination Video Q+A with UChicago Medicine’s Dr. Stephen Weber
To help address some common questions about COVID-19 vaccination from a medical perspective, we invite you to check out a video with Dr. Stephen Weber, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President for Clinical Effectiveness at the University of Chicago Medicine. In the video, Dr. Weber discusses how the vaccine requirement will help the University resume in-person activities. He also shares information on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and testing that is required for the vaccines to receive an emergency use authorization.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 16 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 1,082 reports since September 20.

June 11, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on Chicago entering Phase 5,information about steps to fulfill the student COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and an update on summer COVID-19 testing.

Note: This message is the final Weekly COVID-19 Update of the academic year; we plan to provide monthly updates and additional guidance as needed over the summer.

Year-End COVID-19 Data

To mark the end of an academic year that was shaped in many ways by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have included summary data on cases this year, as well as the remarkable progress that our campus community made over the last six weeks or so. Like many places around the country, UChicago has experienced a steep decline in cases recently, thanks in large part to widespread vaccination efforts. We thank everyone across the University whose commitment has contributed to our community’s health and safety over the last year.

Chicago Entering Phase 5
As of today, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago have entered Phase 5 and full reopening, with fewer restrictions on restaurants and other businesses. Many restrictions will remain in place, including federal mask mandates that apply to public transit, airplanes, schools, and hospitals. The University will communicate more next week about our approach to Phase 5, including additional guidance for offices that are returning more people to campus as we prepare for full in-person activities this fall.

Steps to Fulfill the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
On Thursday, Dr. Richard McDonough, Senior Medical Director for Student Health, wrote to students to outline the process for complying with the student COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Students participating in any University in-person or on-campus activity that begins in June, July, or August will need to show proof of full vaccination by August 1. All other students will need to show proof of full vaccination by September 1. For more information, see Dr. McDonough’s email and our vaccine FAQs.

Summer COVID-19 TestingThe University’s Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program has ended, but Voluntary Surveillance Testing will be offered throughout the summer to those who will be on campus or other University facilities in the Chicago area. Both mandatory testing participants, as well as recent Spring Quarter voluntary testing participants, received emails earlier this week with information about how to opt in to the voluntary testing program for summer. Others who are interested can email covidsolutionssupport@uchicago.edu or learn more on the UChicago Forward site.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 5 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 1,066 reports since September 20.

June 4, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on Chicago’s move to Phase 5,and information on Convocation-related changes, including surveillance testing access. Note: Next Friday’s message will be the final Weekly COVID-19 Update of the academic year; we plan to provide monthly updates and additional guidance as needed over the summer.

Chicago Moving to Phase 5
City officials indicated this week that Chicago will move to Phase 5 and full reopening on June 11 along with the rest of Illinois, in recognition of improved pandemic indicators such as the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Although the city’s full guidance for Phase 5 has not been released, it is expected to include easing many restrictions on restaurants and other businesses – though venues can require measures on their own and some general precautions will remain in place. For example, federal mask mandates continue to call for masks on public transit, on airplanes, in schools and in hospitals. People who have not been vaccinated are expected to continue wearing masks in most public spaces.

The move to Phase 5 will have an impact on our campus in the coming weeks and months, and the University is evaluating potential changes to campus policies in alignment with the developing guidance from the city and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will communicate more about potential policy changes soon, including sharing updated plans for gradually increasing staff performing in-person work.

The city’s successful reopening also depends on continued vaccination efforts. About 41% of the city’s residents have been fully vaccinated so far. We strongly encourage members of the University who have not been vaccinated to do so – visit the City of Chicago’s website for the best options near you.

The University of Chicago 534th Convocation
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 for their resilience and determination in the face of a challenging year. You can find many details for graduates and guests on the Convocation website.

Quad Access
In order to prepare for the Convocation events and the large number of students, faculty and staff, and visitors who will participate, some access points to the Main Quadrangle and Crerar Quadrangle will be closed to allow for event set-up between Wednesday, June 9 through Sunday, June 13.

Parking
On-street parking will be restricted Saturday, June 5 through Tuesday, June 15 for the following streets to allow for equipment load-in and set-up at each of the ceremony venues:

  • Ellis Avenue between 57th and 59th streets
  • 56th Street between Cottage Grove and Ellis avenues
  • University Avenue between 57th and 59th streets

COVID-19 Testing – Rosenwald Hall
Those who are scheduled for surveillance testing at Rosenwald Hall can still access the building through the south-facing door during the period from Wednesday, June 9 through Friday, June 11 when some access points to the Main Quadrangle will be closed for Convocation events. Signs are in place to notify people about the change.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 8 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 1,061 reports since September 20.

May 28, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on the Summer Quarter Attestation,information on the results of the recent COVID-19 vaccine survey, new Guidelines on Meetings and Events, and a reminder about the Surveillance Testing Program Operating Schedule.

Summer Quarter Attestation
If you are coming to the University for Summer Quarter and it’s your first time on campus this academic year, or have not previously completed the attestation form, you must complete it by June 17. The form asks you to acknowledge that you have completed the University’s COVID-19 Safety Training and will comply with the University’s COVID-19 health requirements. People who completed the form for Spring Quarter do not need to sign a separate attestation for Summer Quarter.

COVID-19 Vaccination Survey Results
Thank you to everyone in the University community who filled out the recent COVID-19 vaccination survey, which will help inform the University’s planning. The overall response rate was 52%, with just over 15,000 responses in all.

Over 90% of those who completed the survey indicated that they are fully vaccinated. This rate held among all groups, ranging from 97.7% full vaccination among faculty to 90.6% vaccination among students. See the table below for more on vaccination rates among respondents.

 

Faculty

OAAs

Postdocs

Staff

Students

Fully Vaccinated

97.7%

95.9%

93.8%

91.5%

90.6%

First Shot Received

0.9%

1.4%

2.1%

2.1%

4.2%

Fully Vaccinated or First Shot Received

98.6%

97.2%

95.9%

93.5%

94.8%

Scheduled

0.0%

0.4%

0.5%

0.3%

0.6%

Planning But Not Scheduled

0.1%

1.2%

1.8%

0.9%

2.6%

Unsure/ No Plans To Be Vaccinated

1.3%

1.2%

1.8%

5.3%

2.0%

While these results are helpful in understanding vaccination rates at the University, there are still unknowns, including whether vaccinated people completed the survey at a higher rate than non-vaccinated people. Among the respondents who indicated that they are unsure or do not plan on getting vaccinated, the most common concerns cited were safety and/or efficacy, and vaccine side effects.

Data from clinical trials and the experience of more than 288 million vaccine doses administered so far in the U.S. (more than 1.5 billion doses worldwide) have shown the vaccines to be safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. We strongly encourage all members of the University community to be vaccinated at their earliest opportunity. Common questions raised by respondents included the potential need for booster vaccine doses in the future, and expectations for students returning to Chicago from abroad whose current vaccine access is limited. The need for booster doses is not yet known; you can find more information for international travelers at our vaccine FAQ.

We will communicate more soon about the process for students to verify that they have been vaccinated, to satisfy the student vaccine requirement that starts with the 2021 Autumn Quarter. The University is continuing to evaluate whether the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for all academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, and staff.

New Guidelines for Meetings and Events
Earlier today, the University published revised guidelines for meetings, convenings, and events. Under certain conditions and with approval, gatherings on campus for reasons other than academic instruction have been expanded, and gatherings organized in restaurants and event venues may also be approved.

Surveillance Testing Program Operating Schedule Reminder
All surveillance test sites will be closed on Sunday, May 30 and Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day. Participants scheduled for tests on May 31 may report to either Rosenwald Hall or Woodlawn Social Service (950 E 61st Street) on Tuesday, June 1, for their weekly test.

Symptomatic testing remains available to all members of the University campus community who are experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. Students should call UChicago Student Wellness at 773.834.WELL. Faculty, academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, and staff members should call the UCM triage hotline at 773.702.2800.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 11 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 1,053 reports since September 20.

May 21, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on the potential for further vaccination-related policy changes,and a reminder about the recently announced COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students.

Vaccination and the Potential for Further Policy Changes
The University of Chicago will follow the City of Chicago in keeping most current public health precautions in place at least until we reach Phase 5; the City of Chicago defines this as the point at which “most activities resume with health safety in place.” As of May 14, Chicago is in a “Bridge Phase,” allowing for an expansion of capacity limits across many venues, among other steps. Chicago may enter Phase 5 later than some other parts of the state; city officials are expected to share more information on Phase 5 in the coming weeks.

We are currently gathering more information about vaccination rates on campus to help inform decisions about potential changes to public health precautions, including masking and social distance. All members of the University community received an anonymous COVID-19 vaccination survey this week; if you have not done so already, please fill out the survey as soon as possible to help guide these decisions.

While it is important to gather such information anonymously, there are significant privacy concerns about asking individuals for their vaccination status on an ad hoc basis. Individual University offices and programs should not set up their own processes or ask individuals about their vaccination status without coordinating with the University’s central processes. If you have questions about a planned activity and vaccination status, please contact coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu.

In recognition of lower risks outdoors and Chicago Department of Public Health guidance, the University has eliminated the masking mandate for people who are outdoors on campus grounds, including when others are within 6 feet – however, face coverings may still be required at certain outdoor events and programming. We expect many members of our community to continue wearing masks outdoors for various reasons, and request all to be conscientious of others.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Students
On Tuesday, Provost Ka Yee C. Lee and Dean of Students in the University Michele Rasmussen announced that starting with the 2021 Autumn Quarter, the University of Chicago will require all students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This requirement will strengthen the University’s ability to protect the health and safety of our campus and neighboring communities. The COVID-19 vaccination requirement applies to all students participating in in-person classes, research, or other activities in the U.S., with exemptions for religious or medical reasons as required by law. Further information about how to comply will be send to students in early June. These FAQs should address some common questions. 

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 12 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 1,042 reports since September 20.

May 14, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on Revised CDC Guidance, information on COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 12 to 15, an update on the location of the University’s vaccine clinic, and the revised surveillance testing program schedule.

Revised CDC Guidance
Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued additional guidance for fully vaccinated individuals, including further easing of requirements for masking and physical distancing among those who have been fully vaccinated, “except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.” The State of Illinois also indicated that it is implementing this guidance, while maintaining extra precautions for crowded indoor spaces.

Given the current lack of information about current vaccination levels on our campuses and other factors, the University’s masking and distancing requirements remain in place for now. The University is revisiting its COVID-19 policies given new guidance from the CDC about masking and social distance for those who are fully vaccinated, taking into consideration updates from the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois on the same. We are also in the process of gathering more information on vaccination levels here. It is important to balance the new guidance with rising vaccination levels and the need to promote the health and safety of the University community, especially those who are unable to take the vaccine. The University will communicate more on vaccination-related policies in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 12 to 15 at UChicago Medicine
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 and the vaccine has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children of University of Chicago faculty, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and students, regardless of whether they are UChicago Medicine patients, are eligible for a vaccination appointment at UCM. We encourage all parents/guardians whose children are 12 to 15 years old to take advantage of this opportunity and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Parents/guardians should call 773-834-8221 to reach UCM’s call center for appointment scheduling. For more information, see the University’s message on this vaccination opportunity. 

Update on the University’s Vaccine Clinic Location
The University’s dedicated vaccine clinic at the Student Wellness Center has been incorporated into UChicago Medicine’s (UCM) vaccine effort, meaning that vaccines will no longer be offered at the Student Wellness location. The process for scheduling an appointment through MyChart remains the same. We strongly encourage all members of the University community to be vaccinated at the earliest opportunity, whether through UCM or other providers. If you need assistance with scheduling a vaccine, please email coronavirusinfo@uchicago.edu.

Updated Surveillance Testing Program Operating Schedule
The operating schedule for the COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program will be changing:

  • Beginning Monday, May 24, the Monday through Friday operating hours for both the Rosenwald Hall and Woodlawn Social Service (950 E 61st Street) testing locations will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the remainder of the Spring Term.  Participants currently scheduled for evening test appointments should contact [covidsolutionssupport@uchicago.edu]covidsolutionssupport@uchicago.edu or their testing program liaison to reschedule. Operating schedules for the residential hall test sites will not change.
  • All test sites will be closed on Sunday, May 30 and Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day.  Participants scheduled for tests on May 31 may report to either Rosenwald Hall or Woodlawn Social Service (950 E 61st Street) on Tuesday, June 1, for their weekly test.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 13 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 1,030 reports since September 20.

May 7, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on Phase 2 vaccination , and a reminder about the UChicago Health Pact.

Phase 2 COVID-19 Vaccination Update
The University has now issued vaccine scheduling vaccination invitations via MyChart to everyone at the University who is eligible, including students. We strongly encourage all students and University personnel to schedule vaccinations as soon as possible if you have not been vaccinated elsewhere, especially if you plan to complete your two-shot Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine sequence before the end of Spring Quarter. If you are not sure whether you have received a scheduling invitation, please log in to MyChart to check. If you have not yet setup MyChart, please check your email for an activation code.  View the “Scheduling Vaccination Appointments” section of the FAQ on the UChicago Forward site for more information. 

UChicago Health Pact
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have begun modifying some public health recommendations, including guidance for fully vaccinated individuals.  While we will continue to monitor updates in guidelines at the federal and local level, we do not anticipate major changes to the requirements in the UChicago Health Pact for the duration of Spring Quarter. Policies for the 2021-22 academic year are under development with close consultation of medical experts.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 25 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 1,017 reports since September 20.

April 30, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on Phase 2 Vaccination,a reminder about face covering policies, and links to resources concerning the COVID-19 crisis in India and other nations.

Phase 2 COVID-19 Vaccination Update
We are pleased to announce that the University has begun sending vaccine scheduling invitations via MyChart to everyone at the University who is eligible in Phase 1c and Phase 2, including students. Scheduling invitations will be sent in randomized batches over a period of weeks, to avoid exceeding clinic capacity and vaccine availability. Appointments can be booked at the University’s dedicated vaccine clinic at the Student Wellness Center or at the University of Chicago Medical Center (Mitchell Hospital). We urge you to schedule your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your notification, as vaccine supplies are subject to change and the available times may fill up quickly.

Face Coverings for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
While the growing number of COVID-19 vaccinations should help facilitate on-campus activities over the long run, please note that the precautions outlined in the UChicago Health Pact have not changed. Members of the University community, including those who have been fully vaccinated, should continue to wear a face covering while in University buildings, and on campus grounds when others are within six feet.

Such uniform policies remain necessary to ensure broad compliance, especially since many members of the campus community have not yet been vaccinated. We will continue to review updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the interim guidance issued this week on public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people. Please bear in mind that according to the CDC, “outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities,” including for vaccinated individuals.

Asymptomatic Testing for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
UChicago Medicine experts have advised the University, in accordance with CDC guidance, that asymptomatic testing of fully vaccinated individuals is not necessary. While it is still possible for a fully vaccinated individual to contract COVID-19, a positive test in a person who has been vaccinated and has no symptoms is more likely than not to be a false positive. Participants in the COVID-19 Mandatory or Voluntary Testing Programs may opt out of the program for the remainder of Spring Quarter once they are fully vaccinated. Participants will receive additional information soon on how to opt out.

Regardless of your vaccination status, if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 you must continue to self-isolate and arrange for prompt testing/screening through UChicago Medicine or UChicago Student Wellness. Students should call Student Wellness at (773) 834-WELL. Faculty, academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, and staff members should call the UCM triage hotline at (773) 702-2800 to arrange a test and receive any needed medical attention.  Employees of UCM or the Biological Sciences Division may call (773) 702-6819.

COVID-19 International Resources
The University community is deeply concerned by the continued escalation in COVID-19 cases and deaths in India and other nations, and we extend our sympathy and support for all those affected. Whether you are in the U.S. or another country, the University has resources and support to assist you. Please see the Office of International Affairs website for further information on available resources for the international community at UChicago, including information for students. UChicago Global has compiled a listing of organizations that are involved in relief efforts in India.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 25 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 992 reports since September 20.

April 23, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on the recent COVID-19 cases,and information on Phase 2 vaccination.

Further Progress on COVID-19
Adherence to the UChicago Health Pact has helped dramatically decrease the numbers of new COVID-19 cases, with just 12 cases reported this week among students across the University. COVID-19 restrictions for College students began lifting on Tuesday, two days earlier than projected, with the expectation that all students will continue to honor required health and safety protocols. Library study spaces for undergraduates reopened on Wednesday and in-person classes and research in laboratories resumed on Thursday. On- and off-campus College students should continue to limit contact and refrain from unmasked, in-person gatherings. With everyone’s continued care and diligence, we are confident that our community can finish the Spring Quarter strong.

Phase 2 Vaccination Update
As announced Thursday, the dedicated vaccine clinic for University personnel will broaden availability to offer vaccinations for all students starting in early May. Students will be notified in batches over a period of weeks, to avoid exceeding clinic capacity and vaccine availability.

We urge students to schedule an appointment as soon as possible after receiving a scheduling notification, as vaccine supplies are subject to change and the available times may fill up quickly. Students and others who are leaving Chicago once Spring Quarter ends (on June 12) must get their first vaccine dose by May 21 at the latest, to allow time for a second appointment before they leave Chicago. We encourage all members of the University community to pursue the first available option for vaccination, whether through our vaccine clinic or another provider.

Starting today, all vaccination sites operated by the City of Chicago, including the United Center site, are accepting walk-ins. Appointments for those sites are preferred but no longer required, due in part to growing vaccine supplies.  You can find a useful overall listing of vaccination options at the UChicago Forward website. With a growing number of vaccination options in Chicago and around the nation, there should be enough capacity for the majority of University students and employees to be fully vaccinated by the end of June. We will keep you informed on vaccination opportunities and University vaccination policies as they develop.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 29 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 967 reports since September 20.

April 16, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on COVID-19 restrictions in the College,and information on Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccine distribution

COVID-19 Restrictions in the College
As announced earlier today, the University and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) have determined that it is necessary to extend the current public health precautions for students in the College through Wednesday, April 21. In addition, all undergraduates living off-campus in Chicago should follow a stay-at-home directive through April 21 and all in-person research and student positions for undergraduates are suspended through April 21.

While these are important precautions, our medical experts and CDPH see hopeful signs, including the lower number of cases identified this week – 60 overall, down from 97, and with far fewer close contacts reported to contract tracing. Experts at CDPH noted that UChicago is in a strong position to reduce the impact of these cases, thanks to widespread compliance with public health requirements as well as our robust system of surveillance testing and contact tracing.

As always, if you are concerned you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please get tested immediately. It is vital to report any positive cases, symptoms or exposures to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu so we can limit any further spread.

Testing Notice
Given the large volume of COVID-19 tests being administered, participants in the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs may experience longer than usual wait times for make-up testing on Sunday, April 18.

Phase 2 Vaccination Update
Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Chicago is scheduled to start on Monday, April 19. This phase will expand vaccine availability to all people age 16 and older. We will provide additional information next week on the University’s vaccine clinic plans for Phase 2. In the meantime, please note that many vaccination options beyond the University are available. We encourage everyone in the University community to be vaccinated at the earliest opportunity, whether through the dedicated University vaccine clinic or from other providers.

If you are looking for vaccination opportunities, please check these resources:

  • The City of Chicago has a Vaccine Finder showing vaccination sites throughout the city.
  • Chicago State University has asked UChicago to help spread the word to South Side residents, including UChicago students, about the CSU vaccination site at 95th Street and MLK Drive. All residents of 20 South Side zip codes are eligible to be vaccinated at the CSU clinic, which has had many open appointment slots. See the city’s website for more information.
  • The State of Indiana has vaccination appointments available regardless of residency, including vaccination sites in Northwest Indiana within 30 miles of UChicago. See the state’s website for more information.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 57 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 938 reports since September 20.

April 9, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on the cluster of cases involving College students,and information from the CDC on travel for vaccinated individuals. 

Update on Cluster of Cases Affecting Undergraduates
As anticipated, tests have detected additional COVID-19 cases in the cluster that was announced earlier this week. As of today, testing has found 76 new cases among College students since last weekend. Our on-campus isolation housing currently has 59 students – well within the capacity of the on-campus isolation housing that was set aside last year, with enough bed space for about 250 students.

All students in isolation receive wellness check-ins and care if needed from medical professionals and staff members in Student Wellness. Essential operations on campus, including the vaccine clinic for University personnel, have not been interrupted by the recent cluster. There has been a higher volume of curbside tests at UChicago Medicine recently for people with potential COVID-19 symptoms. People who have potential symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested as soon as possible, whether through UCM or another provider.

These cases, along with the recent increase in the COVID-19 positivity rate in the City of Chicago, serve as reminders of the importance of the precautions in the UChicago Health Pact. We will engage with the campus community over the coming weeks in a sustained effort to reduce COVID-19 case numbers, encourage vaccinations, and finish the academic year in a strong position to uphold our community’s health and safety.

Phase 1c Vaccination Update
Since the start of Phase 1c on March 29, more than 3,400 eligible members of our community have received a first dose of the vaccine through the University’s vaccine clinic. We encourage all eligible members of the University community to be vaccinated at their earliest opportunity, whether through our vaccine clinic or through other providers.

Updated Travel Guidance
University-sponsored international and domestic travel continues to be suspended due to COVID-19. Any member of the University community who chooses to travel for non-University-sponsored reasons must follow local guidelines for quarantining and other COVID-19 measures at the destination and upon their return to Chicago. We must maintain all current travel precautions at least until we know more about the rate of vaccination on our campus and in the community. For additional information on the University’s travel guidance please visit: https://goforward.uchicago.edu/travel/.

Regarding personal travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last Friday released guidance for travelers who have been fully vaccinated. According to the CDC guidance for domestic travel, individuals who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel within the United States and do not need to get tested before or after travel unless their destination requires and do not need to self-quarantine. This is consistent with the City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order. Travelers should continue to take precautions following international travel even if fully vaccinated; note that recommendations concerning those precautions (testing, quarantine, etc.) have been in flux. Please refer to the IDPH and CDC for appropriate guidance at the time of your travel. Even vaccinated individuals can occasionally catch COVID-19, and international travel increases the risk of importing new variants, so please take extra care regardless of vaccination status and be sure to get tested if you develop any symptoms of COVID. Unvaccinated individuals should avoid nonessential international travel and must follow testing and quarantine rules based on your itinerary.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 23 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 881 reports since September 20.

April 2, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data,an update on Phase 1c vaccinations for the University community,information on planning for the second dose of the vaccine, and a reminder about UChicago Medicine MyChart accounts.  

Update on Phase 1c Vaccinations for the University Community
The University’s dedicated vaccine clinic began administering its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, March 29 to eligible members of the University community in collaboration with UChicago Medicine (UCM). As of Friday morning, the University and UCM have issued approximately 16,000 scheduling invitations to members of the University community, out of approximately 20,000 who are eligible during Phase 1c. The pace of sending the remaining invitations is uncertain and depends on numerous factors, including vaccine supply from the city and how many people who already received invitations choose to be vaccinated through the University’s vaccine clinic. In addition, the need to administer second doses in the coming weeks may mean limited availability for first dose appointments. We expect to continue issuing invitations in batches over the next few months to those eligible in Phase 1c and Phase 2, with the goal of vaccinating all eligible University community members as quickly as possible.

Please also note the following important information:

  • Scheduling invitations have been sent via email to all individuals who self-identified as having a high-risk medical condition. If you self-identified as having a high-risk condition and have not received a scheduling invitation, please contact sccimm@uchospitals.edu.
  • If you choose not to be vaccinated through the University’s vaccine clinic, you do not need to take any action. The University will continue issuing scheduling invitations until the appointment times are filled.
  • If you receive a vaccine scheduling invitation as a UChicago Medicine patient, you will not receive a separate invitation for the University’s vaccine clinic.
  • Students who fulfill paid Spring Quarter duties for which they will receive a W-2 form from the University are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination through the University’s on-campus clinic during Phase 1c. These students received an email earlier today to confirm their eligibility and with additional details. Students who have questions related to their on-campus duties, paycheck, or W-2 should complete the Student Position Service Now form.

Planning for the Second Dose of the Vaccine
For COVID-19 vaccinations that require two doses, the University recommends scheduling both through the same provider. It is very important to plan ahead to make sure that you are available to receive the second dose from the same provider.

All of the allotted vaccines at the University’s vaccine clinic are either being used for first doses or are reserved for second doses for people who received their first shots at the clinic. You will not be able to receive a second dose through UCM or the University’s dedicated vaccine clinic if you received a first dose elsewhere. You can check the City of Chicago’s vaccine finder for additional options.

If you receive your vaccination through the University clinic, you will be able to schedule your second dose through MyChart once you have received your first one. Keep in mind that you will need to receive your second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine 17 to 23 days later.

UChicago Medicine MyChart Accounts
Everyone who gets vaccinated through the University’s vaccine clinic will need an active UCM MyChart account to schedule their vaccination.

Over the next few weeks, UCM is sending activation notices in batches to individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1c and do not have an active UChicago Medicine MyChart account and did not opt out of the process. You should receive a MyChart activation notice a few days before you receive a vaccine scheduling email.

If you already have a UCM MyChart account, we recommend logging in to see if you have been issued a vaccine scheduling invitation. While logged in, you can also set up email notifications or push notifications if you are using the app.

Required: Spring Quarter Attestation
By Monday, April 5, all members of the University community are required to complete the updated attestation form for Spring Quarter. The form acknowledges that you have completed the University’s COVID-19 Safety Training and will comply with the University’s COVID-19 health requirements.

March 26, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, information about Phase 1c Vaccination, a cluster of cases involving Booth students, and updated Sunday testing program hours at Rosenwald Hall for spring.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

The City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order lists 26 states as the orange classification level and 23 states and two territories as the yellow classification level (Illinois is not classified). Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information.

Phase 1c Vaccination for the University Community
Starting March 29, the University will operate a dedicated vaccine clinic for University personnel in collaboration with UChicago Medicine (UCM). Starting today, email invitations to set up vaccination appointments are being sent to the first eligible group: University personnel, eligible contractors and affiliates, and students with qualifying medical conditions that put them at high-risk of developing severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. If you are in this group, please look for this email and schedule your appointment through MyChart as soon as possible if you plan to be vaccinated through this clinic.

In accordance with guidelines from the City of Chicago and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we will also offer vaccinations during Phase 1c for all employees of the University; eligible contractors and affiliates; and students who fulfill paid Spring Quarter duties for which they receive a W-2 form from the University. Most students will be eligible for vaccination as part of Phase 2, which is expected to begin in Chicago in May (dependent on vaccine supply). The goal is to vaccinate all eligible University community members as quickly as possible, but the pace of vaccinations will depend on several factors, including phasing requirements, vaccine supply, how many people choose to get vaccinated, and the capacity of our on-campus vaccine clinic. We encourage all members of the University community to be vaccinated at the earliest opportunity, whether through our dedicated vaccine clinic or through other providers.

For more information, refer to the announcement email and the Vaccine FAQ.

Guidance for People Who Received First Vaccine Shots Elsewhere

A number of people have asked whether they can get their second vaccine dose through UCM or the dedicated vaccine clinic for University personnel if they received a first vaccine shot elsewhere. It will not be possible for these clinics to provide second doses in such situations. All of the allotted vaccine doses at the University are either being used for first shots, or are reserved for second doses for people who got their first shots here. We recommend scheduling your first and second shots through the same provider if at all possible; you can check the City of Chicago’s vaccine finder for options.

Cases Involving Booth Students

The University’s Contact Tracing Team has identified a cluster of approximately 25 COVID-19 cases involving students at the Booth School of Business. The close contacts of this group were reached by the University of Chicago’s Contact Tracing Team; most of them had already tested positive for COVID-19 and were in isolation. 

This is an important reminder to continue following requirements to prevent the spread of the virus – described in the UChicago Health Pact. Of particular concern is the possibility that these cases may involve one of the coronavirus variants that spread more easily and may cause more severe disease. The viruses from these cases are undergoing tests to determine if they are among the variants. Anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 case, symptoms, or exposure should promptly self-report to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu, even if you have not been on campus.

Updated Sunday Testing Program Hours at Rosenwald Hall for Spring

The hours for make-up COVID-19 tests for the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs on Sundays at the Rosenwald Hall location will be changing starting in April: On Sunday, April 4, the hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the remaining Sundays for Spring Quarter, the hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received seven reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 850 reports since September 20.

March 19, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, a reminder about the Spring Quarter Attestation Form, an update on city and state plans for vaccination Phase 1c, and information about spring activities.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

The City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order lists 24 states and one territory as the orange classification level and 25 states and one territory as the yellow classification level (Illinois is not classified). Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information.

Reminder: Spring Quarter Attestation Form
April 5 is the deadline for all members of the University community to complete the updated attestation form for Spring Quarter. You must complete the form whether you will be on campus or not and even if you previously completed it for Autumn and Winter Quarters.

The form acknowledges that you have completed the University’s COVID-19 Safety Training and will comply with the University’s COVID-19 health requirements. The online training, a requirement separate from attestation, has not changed and will not need to be retaken if previously completed.

City and State Plans for Vaccination Phase 1c

The City of Chicago announced this week that Phase 1c of vaccine distribution in the city will begin on March 29, and offered more details about this phase of vaccinations in Chicago. The University will provide additional information next week concerning plans for vaccinating eligible University populations during Phase 1c.

Separately, the State of Illinois recently announced plans for all residents 16 and older outside Chicago to get a COVID-19 vaccination beginning April 12. The City of Chicago receives a separate vaccine supply from the federal government and sets its own rules for phase eligibility; UChicago falls under the city’s jurisdiction for vaccine distribution. Members of the University community are encouraged to be vaccinated wherever they are eligible.

Spring Activities

We are asking members of the University community to avoid traveling outside the Chicago area if possible during the week preceding the start of Spring Quarter. But there is plenty to do if you stay in Chicago. The College has created a 2021 Spring Activities webpage specifically for College students, with a menu of opportunities to consider. Choose Chicago has compiled listings of restaurants, museums, parks, and other venues that are open with health and safety measures in place.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 21 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 843 reports since September 20.

March 12, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, information about completing the Spring attestation form, a reminder about enrolling in the Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program, and an update on CDC guidance and continued precautions.

Required: Spring Quarter Attestation Form
All members of the University community, whether they will be on campus or not, are required to complete the online attestation form for Spring Quarter, which acknowledges they have completed the University’s COVID-19 Safety Training and will comply with the University’s COVID-19 health requirements. The deadline to complete the updated attestation for Spring Quarter is April 5, and you must complete it even if you completed the attestation for Autumn and Winter Quarters. The online training, a requirement separate from attestation, has not changed and will not need to be retaken if previously completed.

No New Cases in Surveillance Testing
There have been no positive cases of COVID-19 in the University’s Surveillance Testing programs since February 25. Thank you to everyone in the University community whose continued precautions have limited the spread of the virus on our campus. It is vital to remain vigilant in our public health precautions as we approach Spring Quarter and a time of increased social interaction.

Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program Application
Today is the last day to apply to participate in the University’s Voluntary Surveillance Testing program for the remainder of the current academic year. Members of the University community who are not already enrolled should have received an email earlier this week with application instructions. We encourage anyone who will be at a Chicago-area University facility during Spring Quarter to register for this weekly testing program. You can find the voluntary surveillance testing enrollment email here.

Continued Precautions and CDC Guidance
New interim public health recommendations were released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with some changes to the recommended precautions for people who have been fully vaccinated. These changes apply only to certain personal activities. It is important to note that the University’s fundamental precautions have not changed – the same requirements in the UChicago Health Pact and the suspension of University-sponsored travel continue to apply. Although the steady pace of vaccinations should eventually reduce the need for some preventative measures, we must maintain all current precautions at least until we know more about the rate of vaccination on our campus and in the community.

You can find more information about the new guidance on CDC’s website.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 24 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 822 reports since September 20.

March 5, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on Spring Quarter planning, and information on Spring COVID-19 Testing and a vaccination site in Chicago.

Update on Spring Planning
Earlier this week, Provost Ka Yee C. Lee and Dean of Students in the University Michele Rasmussen sent a message with information and guidance on precautions that are planned as we approach Spring Quarter. Members of the University community should avoid traveling outside the Chicago area if possible during the week preceding the start of Spring Quarter. For the College and most academic units, the first week of classes in Spring Quarter, from March 29 through April 2, will be held remotely, similar to the start of Winter Quarter.

The University will maintain the general approach of remote work for duties that do not require an in-person presence, and will begin re-assessing plans before summer. You can find more details in the Spring Planning email.

Spring COVID-19 Testing
Registration will be available next week for people who have not yet enrolled in the University’s Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program but would like to participate. Enrollment capacity may be limited. Those who have enrolled previously do not need to take additional action to take part in Spring Quarter. People who are eligible to enroll will receive more information next week.

COVID-19 Vaccination Site at the United Center
The Chicago Department of Public Health recently announced that a federally-run vaccination site will open at the United Center on March 9; registration opened on March 4. The first appointments will be available only to people ages 65 and over. General registration for people eligible in Phase 1b+ will be open at 4 p.m. on March 7. For more information on who is eligible for vaccination in Illinois during Phase 1b and Phase 1b+, see the state’s Phase 1b website.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 17 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 798 reports since September 20.

February 26, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order, an off-campus cluster of cases, and information on preparations for Phase 1c and Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccination.

Chicago’s Updated Emergency Travel Order
As of this week, Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order has moved a number of states from an orange to yellow travel advisory, meaning there is no quarantine or pre-arrival test required when returning from those states. The yellow states now include Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. In addition, Chicago no longer requires post-travel quarantine for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, have no symptoms, and maintain strict masking and social distancing. See Chicago’s travel website for more information.

Preparing for Phase 1c and 2 Vaccine Distribution

On February 24 the University sent messages to students, academics and staff with important information in advance of Phase 1c and Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The email contains a link to an online form where individuals can opt out of the UChicago Medicine process for creation of a medical record. People who opt out of creation of a medical record through UCM will not be able to be vaccinated as part of the University vaccine clinic. The clinic is planned for Phase 1c and Phase 2 pending approval from the Chicago Department of Public Health regarding the University’s distribution plan, and subject to vaccine availability.

The February 24 messages also contained information on how to self-identify as having one or more medical conditions that carry higher risk of serious health outcomes from COVID-19. If you have questions about preparations for Phase 1c and Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccination, please see our online FAQ on vaccination plans for members of the UChicago community.

Off-Campus Cluster of Cases
The University’s Contact Tracing Team has linked eight off-campus cases of COVID-19 to a gathering that took place off campus. This is a reminder that although the overall outlook has improved in Chicago recently, some universities around the country have experienced spikes in cases, sometimes related to new coronavirus variants that can spread easily and quickly. It is vital to limit close contacts, report positive cases to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu, and cooperate with the Contact Tracing Team to limit the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and in neighboring communities.

Updated COVID-19 Dashboard
We have enhanced the data available through the COVID-19 dashboard, which now provides a breakdown of testing numbers from the University’s COVID-19 Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs, positive cases and positivity rates for students and others, updated daily. Take a look!

February 19, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,
In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data and information on administrative preparation for Phase 1c and Phase 2 vaccine distribution.

COVID-19 Dashboard
View the online dashboard at UChicago Forward. The City of Chicago’s dashboard is here and the State of Illinois’ dashboard is here (both updated daily).

Administrative Preparation for Phase 1C and Phase 2 Vaccination Rollout
Next week we plan to send messages to members of the University community with information to help prepare for Phase 1c and Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. We anticipate that additional University employees will be eligible for vaccination during Phase 1c, which is tentatively scheduled to begin on March 29. Most students and others ages 16 and older will be eligible during Phase 2, which has an estimated start of May 31, according to the City of Chicago’s distribution plan. Please note that the City of Chicago’s vaccination schedule and plans remain subject to change.

The University and UChicago Medicine (UCM) are preparing to offer an on-campus vaccine clinic for eligible members of the University community during Phase 1c and Phase 2, pending approval from the Chicago Department of Public Health. We will send information next week to help members of the University prepare for this vaccination opportunity. This will include providing an opportunity to opt out of the creation of a medical record through UCM; the creation of such a medical record is expected to be a necessary part of the vaccination scheduling process. Members of the University community will also receive instructions for self-identifying as having a high-risk condition, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Chicago Department of Public Health, which may affect the timing of an individual’s eligibility for vaccination.

Although Chicago’s vaccination plans for Phase 1c and Phase 2 are not yet final, these preliminary steps will be important in preparing our community for potential vaccination opportunities. Please keep an eye out for the communications that will be sent next week.

Vaccination Data from the City of Chicago
Follow updated numbers of cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses by day for the City of Chicago on the city of Chicago website.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 16 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 767 reports since September 20.

February 12, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, a reminder of new requirements for face coverings, and an update on the COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 Dashboard

View the online dashboard at UChicago Forward. The City of Chicago’s dashboard is here and the State of Illinois’ dashboard is here (both updated daily).

Reminder of New Requirements for Face Coverings
As announced in an all-campus email earlier this week, the University has strengthened some COVID-19 precautions in response to new coronavirus variants that may spread more easily. Everyone on campus is required to wear a face covering that fully covers their nose and mouth and has ear loops to securely hold it in place. It is not sufficient to wear masks that are loose-fitting, such as neck gaiters, bandanas, or scarves, and masks should not have exhalation valves or vents, which can let viral particles through. For more details on University requirements, please visit UChicago Forward. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week released additional information on improving the fit of your mask.

Vaccination Update
In collaboration with the University, UChicago Medicine (UCM) established a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for people who are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1b. As of Sunday, February 7, 895 University personnel received a first dose of the vaccine in Phase 1b.

The University and UCM are in the planning stages for Phase 1c vaccine distribution, which the City of Chicago has tentatively scheduled to begin on March 29. The most recent update from the Chicago Department of Public Health indicates that Phase 1c will include vaccine distribution for university employees; as described, Phase 1c will also include people ages 16-64 who have medical conditions that place them at higher risk of serious health outcomes from COVID-19. Please note that the city’s vaccine schedule remains subject to change. We will send more information later this month to ensure that people in eligible groups are ready to register for vaccinations in March.

Vaccination Data from the City of Chicago
Follow updated numbers of cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses by day for the City of Chicago on the city of Chicago website.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 25 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 751 reports since September 20.

February 5, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on vaccination distribution, information on a cluster involving nine cases, and details on a Graham School Healthcare Roundtable.

Vaccination Distribution on the South Side

The following chart details vaccine administration by UChicago Medicine (UCM) and the City of Chicago as of February 3, 2021:

This data reflects that the University of Chicago Medical Center administered about 13% of the total doses of vaccine in the City of Chicago through February 3. Of the 5,852 UCM patients on the South Side who have received a first dose, about 69% are Black or Latinx. UCM has offered the vaccine to more than 20,000 patients who live on the South Side. Thousands of additional patients have appointments scheduled throughout February.

For more information on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and the importance of broad and equitable distribution, please see this video with UCM experts Dr. Monica Peek and Dr. Stephen Weber:

Cluster of Cases Among Undergraduates

The University’s Contact Tracing Team this week found a cluster of nine COVID-19 cases among undergraduates living off-campus who had contact with each other. The nine students who have tested positive all entered isolation according to protocols, and 22 close contacts have been identified. Our community’s adherence to the UChicago Health Pact has been effective in preventing such clusters. It is vital to uphold these precautions, including staying home if you experience possible COVID-19 symptoms.                                                                                                                        

Graham School Healthcare Roundtable

The Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies is hosting a free discussion series that explores the healthcare system within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has challenged healthcare infrastructure, exposed gaps in the system, and revealed biases in access to care. The series will feature doctors and healthcare experts from the University of Chicago Medical Center and will take place on Wednesdays, February 10, 17, and 24 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CT. For more information and to register, visit the Graham School’s website.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 27 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 726 reports since September 20.

January 29, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on campus visitors and convenings, and reminder about the COVID-19 vaccination.

Campus Visitors and Convenings
The University is again allowing visitors beyond those with essential duties on campus, provided they are sponsored by a unit and have signed a Visitor Attestation form.

The University is also allowing non-curricular meetings and convenings of groups of 10 people or fewer under the non-instruction meeting guidelines, for specific purposes related to work or activities that are important to do in person. Such convenings require approval from a unit’s Dean or Officer or through the In-Person Programming and Event Request form.

Please remember that members of the University community should continue using virtual options wherever possible, and limit in-person interactions to those that cannot be accomplished virtually.

COVID-19 Vaccination
As Provost Lee announced earlier this week, the University and UChicago Medicine (UCM) are supporting vaccine distribution for eligible populations at the University and UCM during Phase 1b. As a reminder, we encourage all eligible individuals to be vaccinated at their first opportunity, whether through the University or another authorized provider.

Vaccination Data from the City of Chicago
Follow updated numbers of cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses by day for the City of Chicago on the city of Chicago website.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 34 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 699 reports since September 20.

January 22, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, a reminder about the UChicago Health Pact, and an interim update on COVID-19 vaccinations.

All COVID-19 Requirements Remain in Effect
Some members of the University community have asked whether the beginning of COVID-19 vaccinations or Chicago’s move this week to “Tier 2” mitigation measures mean UChicago will change COVID-19 precautions.

All of the precautions in the UChicago Health Pact will remain the same for the foreseeable future. The University does not plan to change these precautions until the COVID-19 risk to our community members fundamentally changes.It is important to understand that the level of infections, hospitalizations and deaths in the general population remains high, and new COVID-19 variants are reported to spread easily, underscoring the importance of our current precautions. It is essential to wear face coverings, maintain a distance of 6 feet from others, comply with limits on social gatherings, and other requirements. We are grateful for the University community’s commitment to upholding the guidelines of the Health Pact.

UChicago COVID-19 Cases
There is a higher risk of infection from travel, and as anticipated there was some increase following Winter Break in the number of students in isolation housing and overall cases of COVID-19 at the University. University contact tracing indicates that these cases are mostly sporadic and not the result of contacts on campus. This is reflected in the small number of close contacts for the week. These numbers reinforce the importance of the UChicago Health Pact precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. 

Disciplinary Action
Multiple students have been removed from on-campus housing for the rest of the quarter following serious violations of University public health requirements, including disregarding the face covering mandate and limits on the number of people who can gather in residence halls. The vast majority of students on campus have observed the UChicago Health Pact precautions that make in-person activities possible. It is important to remember that all rules and potential disciplinary consequences remain in effect for Winter Quarter.

Vaccinations
As of January 25, Chicago will enter Phase 1b of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. People eligible for vaccination in Phase 1b will include teachers and other employees at N-12 schools, and people age 65 and over. The University and University of Chicago Medicine are developing plans for vaccine distribution to these populations. We will have more information to share next week.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
Use the UCAIR online form to anonymously report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 22 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 665 reports since September 20.

January 15, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, a reminder about completing the Winter attestation form, an update on the City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order, and new international travel requirements.

Complete Winter Quarter Attestation Form by this Tuesday, January 19
All members of the University community, whether they will be on campus or not, must complete by January 19 the online attestation form for Winter Quarter, which acknowledges they have completed the COVID-19 Safety Training and will follow UChicago’s COVID-19 health requirements. You must complete this quarter’s attestation even if you completed it for last quarter. The training has not changed and will not need to be retaken if previously completed.

Final Day to Register for COVID-19 Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program for Winter Quarter
Today is the last day to register for the University’s Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program for Winter Quarter, for those who are not already part of one of the University’s surveillance testing programs and will regularly be at a University location in the Chicago area this quarter. Learn more.

Surveillance Testing to Take Place as Scheduled Monday
While Monday is a University holiday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the University’s mandatory and voluntary COVID-19 surveillance testing programs will continue as scheduled. If you are scheduled for testing Monday, please attend your appointment at your assigned time and location.

Student Mask and Thermometer Packet Pick-Up
Packets with two UChicago-branded masks and a thermometer are available to students who did not receive a packet during Autumn Quarter and who will be on campus this Winter Quarter. For more information, visit the Campus and Student Life website.

Study Spaces
The University is offering study spaces in various locations this Winter Quarter. Hours and locations are available on the Campus and Student Life website. Strict capacity limitations and other guidelines apply.

Library
The Library has posted updated information about its Winter 2021 on-site services. Library rules and the UChicago Health Pact continue to apply: face masks must be worn at all times and patrons must remain socially distanced.

Vaccinations
As noted in Provost Lee’s message yesterday, the Illinois Department of Public Health this week changed some of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans, which may affect the timing of distribution for University employees and others. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order
Effective January 15, 2021, the City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order lists 48 states and two territories as the orange classification level and Hawaii as the yellow classification level (Illinois is not classified). The city eliminated red as a classification level.

Returning to Chicago following travel to states/territories marked orange requires either a 10-day quarantine period or a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chicago. Returning from a state marked yellow does not require a quarantine or pre-arrival test, but face coverings and social distancing are still required by the city. Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information.

Please note that the University continues to strongly discourage unnecessary personal travel, and University-sponsored domestic and international travel remains suspended due to COVID-19.

New International Travel Requirements
Effective January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring all air passengers entering the United States to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test. Passengers are required to get a viral test within three days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result to the airline. Passengers who have had lab-confirmed COVID-19 within the past three months can travel to the U.S. if they present the approved positive test result and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official stating the individual has been cleared for travel. 

For more information, see the CDC’s order and related press release.

Upholding Public Health Requirements
UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 22 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 643 reports since September 20. This included zero reports on campus grounds, 12 off-campus, five in residence halls, two in non-lab research or other buildings, three in lab research buildings, zero in dining halls, and zero at the Medical Center. More reports came in this week from non-students than students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

January 8, 2021 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, a reminder about University contact tracing, and an update on the City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order.

Latest Data

Overall Uchicago Cases
(since 12/18)*
Surveillance Testing Isolation Housing
80 New Cases N/A ** Fewer than five students are in on-campus isolation housing and nine students are isolating off-campus
42 Close Contacts   329 completed Isolation
(since 9/20)

* December 18 is the date of the last weekly update. This number Includes cases detected by surveillance and symptomatic testing, and reports received from people who have not been on campus, including those working from home.

** Surveillance testing data will resume next week when students have returned to campus for Winter Quarter.

COVID-19 Voluntary Surveillance Testing Winter Quarter Registration  

Individuals who are not already part of the University’s mandatory or voluntary COVID-19 surveillance testing will soon be able to register for the voluntary testing program for Winter Quarter. Those who were not previously enrolled and are eligible (e.g. regularly in a Chicago-area University facility, willing to commit to weekly testing, not a resident of University housing, or a student athlete) will receive more information next week.  Note: Capacity for new enrollments may be limited.

Those who were enrolled in the testing program in the Autumn do not need to take additional action to continue in the program.

Winter Quarter Attestation Form

All members of the University community, whether they will be on campus or not, are required to complete the online attestation form for the Winter Quarter, which acknowledges they have completed the University’s COVID-19 Safety Training and will comply with the University’s COVID-19 health requirements. The updated attestation for the Winter Quarter is available online and must be completed by January 19. You must complete the Winter Quarter attestation even if you completed the attestation for Autumn Quarter. The online training, a requirement separate from attestation, has not changed and will not need to be retaken if previously completed.

Importance of Contact Tracing

If you test positive for COVID-19 or have been potentially exposed to the virus, it is vitally important for you to cooperate with the University’s Contact Tracing Team. The Contact Tracing Team has been critical to the University’s successful efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 by identifying and notifying close contacts of known cases. The team works diligently to maintain the confidentiality of infected individuals, and to limit information about a patient’s identity to a small number of University personnel who are responsible for helping to support that individual. Please see UChicago Forward for more information on the importance of contact tracing.

Work-from-Home Update

The University’s current work-from-home approach is expected to stay in place at least through Winter Quarter; most offices should anticipate continuing work from home through that period. In-person work should be limited to tasks that can only be completed on campus, including education, research, student support services and other critical campus services. With classes resuming next week and more students and faculty present on campus, there will also be an increased presence of staff in some areas. However, reasons of individual convenience or efficiency are not sufficient to justify work on campus during this period.

Vaccination

President Zimmer and Provost Lee wrote this week with an update on the first phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution at the University of Chicago Medicine and Division of Biological Sciences. We will provide updates soon on planning for vaccine access for our campus and the communities of the South Side, in accordance with federal and local public health guidelines.

City and State Dashboards

City of Chicago

Seven-day COVID Positivity Rate

(More statistics)

10.8 % State of Illinois
Region 11 Seven-day COVID Positivity Rate(More statistics)
10.5 %

 

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

Effective December 29, 2020, the City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order lists 47 states and two territories as either the red or orange classification levels. Only Hawaii and Vermont are classified as yellow (Illinois is not classified).

Please note that the University continues to strongly discourage unnecessary personal travel, and University-sponsored domestic and international travel remains suspended due to COVID-19. Returning to Chicago following travel to states marked red requires a 10-day quarantine period upon your return; returning to Chicago from states marked orange generally requires either a 10-day quarantine period or a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chicago.  Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information.

Update on Ratner Athletics Center

We are pleased to announce that faculty, faculty emeriti, and staff now have access to the Ratner Athletics Center for Winter Quarter 2021. Membership is complimentary for the month of January and $20 per month starting in February. Registration is required, and visits to Ratner facilities must use the advance reservation system. The center will continue to use the modified building capacity and facility operations that were set last autumn with the goal of minimizing exposure and spread of COVID-19. More information and the membership application can be found on the Department of Athletics & Recreation website.

Heated Tents on Campus

Heated tents are once again available for students to use for study space and dining, for alternative spaces for instruction, and for approved extracurricular convenings. Strict capacity limitations and other guidelines apply when using the tents. For more information, visit UChicago Forward.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 17 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 621 reports since September 20. This included zero reports on campus grounds, 10 off-campus, zero in residence halls, two in non-lab research or other buildings, five in lab research buildings, zero in dining halls, and zero at the Medical Center. More reports came in this week from non-students than students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

December 18, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, information on the Winter Quarter attestation, and updated Winter Break surveillance testing hours.

Please note there will be no weekly email update for the next two weeks due to the holidays and Winter Break, but as always, you can find extensive information on the UChicago Forward website and the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

Latest Data
Overall Cases: The University has identified 22 new COVID-19 cases over the past week, including cases detected by surveillance and symptomatic testing, and reports received from people who have not been on campus, including those working from home. Ten of the new cases are students, and 12 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. The Contact Tracing Team identified five close contacts this week – an average of about 0.23 contacts per positive case. Since September 18, the University has had a cumulative total of 470 reported cases of COVID-19.

Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through December 16, the University processed 52,438 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 116 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.22%. The latest seven-day surveillance testing has found six positive cases, with a seven-day positivity rate of 0.22%. Surveillance testing is intended to find cases among asymptomatic individuals; as such, the positivity rate provides important information about the state of the virus on campus. Results for most tests have been available within 24 hours, exceeding the 48-hour target.

Isolation Update: As of today, fewer than five students are in on-campus isolation housing, with nine students isolating off-campus. In all, 283 individuals have completed the isolation protocol since September 20. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19.

City and State Dashboards

The City of Chicago’s seven-day positivity rate is currently 11.8%. Please visit the city’s COVID Dashboard for more information.

Illinois Region 11, which includes Chicago, has a seven-day positivity rate of 12.1% Please visit the state’s regional statistics for more information.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

Effective December 15, 2020, the City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order lists 48 states and two territories as either the red or orange classification levels. Only Hawaii is classified as yellow (Illinois is not classified). The city also changed the length of the quarantine requirement from 14 days to 10 days.

Travel to states marked red requires a 10-day quarantine period upon returning to Chicago; travel to states marked orange generally requires either a 10-day quarantine period or a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chicago.

Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for a list of states/territories and for more information.

New Winter Quarter Attestation

All members of the University community, whether you will be on campus or not, are required to complete the online attestation form for the Winter Quarter, which acknowledges you have completed the University’s COVID-19 Safety Training and will comply with the University’s COVID-19 health requirements. The updated attestation for the Winter Quarter is available online starting today and must be completed by January 19. You must complete the Winter Quarter attestation even if you completed the attestation for Autumn Quarter. The online training, a requirement separate from attestation, has not changed and will not need to be retaken if previously completed.

Updated Winter Break Surveillance Testing Hours

The surveillance testing depots will be closed from December 24 through December 27 and again from December 29 through January 3. Testing depots will return to standard hours on January 4. On Monday, December 28, Surveillance Testing Program participants may receive their test at the Woodlawn Social Services Center (950 E. 61st St.) location only. For those not able to attend testing at WSSC on December 28, participation can be paused for the break and will resume as scheduled beginning on January 4. Symptomatic testing will still be available through the University of Chicago Medicine and UChicago Student Wellness. The full Winter Break surveillance testing schedule can be found here, and information on symptomatic testing is here.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 20 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 586 reports since September 20. This included one report on campus grounds, 11 off-campus, one in residence halls, zero in non-lab research or other buildings, five in lab research buildings, zero in dining halls, and two at the Medical Center. More reports came in this week from non-students than students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

December 11, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, and more on the number of students in isolation housing.

Latest Data

Overall Cases: The University has identified 21 new COVID-19 cases over the past week, including cases detected by surveillance and symptomatic testing, and reports received from people who have not been on campus or are working from home. Nine of the new cases are students and 12 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. The Contact Tracing Team identified seven close contacts this week – an average of about 0.33 contacts per positive case. Since September 18, the University has had a cumulative total of 448 reported cases of COVID-19.

Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through December 9, the University processed 50,366 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 110 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.22%. The latest seven-day surveillance testing has found two positive cases, with a seven-day positivity rate of 0.06%. Surveillance testing is intended to find cases among asymptomatic individuals; as such, the positivity rate provides important information about the state of the virus on campus. Results for most tests have been available within 24 hours, exceeding the 48-hour target.

Isolation Update: As of today, zero students are in on-campus isolation housing, with six students isolating off-campus. In all, 277 individuals have completed the isolation protocol since September 20. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19. 

City and State Dashboards

The City of Chicago’s seven-day positivity rate is currently 12.9%. Please visit the city’s COVID Dashboard for more information.  

Illinois Region 11, which includes Chicago, has a seven-day positivity rate of 12.9% Please visit the state’s regional statistics for more information.

Students in Isolation Housing

This marks the first week since the start of Autumn Quarter with zero students in on-campus isolation housing. While that is partly the result of having fewer students on campus at the end of the quarter, it’s a reflection of widespread adherence to public health requirements. This can also be seen in the fact that the 21 new COVID-19 cases across the campus community this week resulted in just seven close contacts. We are grateful for the careful behavior that makes such encouraging outcomes possible.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 16 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 715 reports since September 20. This included zero reports on campus grounds, seven off-campus, three in residence halls, two in non-lab research or other buildings, three in lab research buildings, zero in dining halls, and one at the Medical Center. More reports came in this week from non-students than students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

December 4, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, an update on initial availability of COVID-19 vaccines, and an update on University quarantine procedures.

Latest Data

Overall Cases: The University has identified 34 new COVID-19 cases over the past week, including cases detected by surveillance and symptomatic testing, and reports received from people who have not been on campus or are working from home. 16 of the new cases are students and 18 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. The Contact Tracing Team identified 10 close contacts this week – an average of about 0.29 contacts per positive case. Since September 18, the University has had a cumulative total of 427 reported cases of COVID-19.

Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through December 2, the University processed 46,078 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 101 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.22%. The latest 7-day surveillance testing has found 2 positive cases, with a 7-day positivity rate of 0.08%. Surveillance testing is intended to find cases among asymptomatic individuals; as such, the positivity rate provides important information about the state of the virus on campus. Results for most tests have been available within 24 hours, exceeding the 48-hour target.

Isolation Update: As of today, fewer than 5 students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 9 students isolating off-campus. In all, 261 individuals have completed the isolation protocol since September 20. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19. 

City and State Dashboards

The City of Chicago’s 7-day positivity rate is currently 12%. Please visit the city’s COVID Dashboard for more information.  

Illinois Region 11, which includes Chicago, has a 7-day positivity rate of 11.9% Please visit the state’s regional statistics for more information.

Planning COVID-19 Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers

The availability of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine will be an extremely important development in our ability to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The FDA is reviewing the safety and efficacy of the first vaccine candidate on December 10. If the vaccine is authorized, we expect the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM) will receive an initial allocation from the Chicago Department of Public Health soon after.

Nationwide availability of vaccines is planned to proceed in phases, with the first priority for frontline health care workers – especially those with direct patient care roles – and people in long-term care facilities. UCM is establishing a process, in consultation with medical ethicists, experts in healthcare disparities and clinical experts, to develop an administration strategy that prioritizes healthcare workers. 

If current projections hold, vaccinations should be available in the coming months for additional high-risk groups, with distribution for the general public beginning sometime this spring. We will keep the University community updated as these plans develop, bearing in mind uncertainties about vaccine availability. This process will continue to be informed by experts at UChicago Medicine as well as public health experts at the local, state and federal levels. 

New Quarantine Procedures

On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its quarantine recommendations to enable individuals without symptoms to end quarantine on day 10 without testing or on day 7 after receiving a negative test result from a test taken at least 5 days after exposure. After stopping quarantine, individuals should watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure. The University has updated its quarantine procedures accordingly.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

Effective November 30, 2020, the City of Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order lists 46 states and two territories as either the red or orange classification levels. Only Hawaii, Maine, and Vermont are classified as yellow (Illinois is not classified). As a reminder, travel to states marked red requires a 14-day quarantine period upon returning to Chicago; travel to states marked orange generally requires either a quarantine period or a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours before returning to Chicago.

Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for a list of states/territories and for more information.

CARES Act Funds

We are pleased to share that the University has distributed $6.2 million from the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to more than 1,800 eligible students with the greatest financial need for their COVID-19-related expenses. Visit the HEERF website for more information. 

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 13 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 550 reports since September 20. This included 0 reports on campus grounds, 7 off-campus, 3 in residence halls, 0 in non-lab research or other buildings, 2 in lab research buildings, 0 in dining halls, and 1 at the Medical Center. The reports reflected almost an even split between students and non-students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

November 20, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data, testing updates for the holiday period, information on new state guidelines, and further recommendations on holiday travel and socializing during the winter months.

Please note there will be no weekly email update next week, but as always, you can find extensive information on the UChicago Forward website and the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard.  

Latest Data

Overall Cases: As of today, the University has had a cumulative total of 333 reported cases of COVID-19 since September 18, including cases detected by surveillance testing as well as reports from members of the University community who were tested after experiencing symptoms or having potential exposure to COVID-19. This number includes reports received from people who have not been on campus or are working from home. Of 64 new cases identified overall in the last week, 43 are students and 21 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. The Contact Tracing Team identified 51 close contacts this week – an average of about 0.80 contacts per positive case.

Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through November 18, the University processed 39,716 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 90 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.23%. The latest 7 full days of surveillance testing found 28 positive cases, with a 7-day positivity rate of 0.43%. Surveillance testing is intended to find cases among asymptomatic individuals; as such, the positivity rate provides important information about the state of the virus on campus. Results for most tests have been available within 24 hours, exceeding the 48-hour target.

Isolation Update: As of today, 5 students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 37 students isolating off-campus. In all, 178 individuals have completed the isolation protocol since September 20. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19. 

City and State Dashboards

The City of Chicago’s 7-day positivity rate is currently 15.3%. Please visit the city’s COVID Dashboard for more information.  

Illinois Region 11, which includes Chicago, has a 7-day positivity rate of 15.5% Please visit the state’s regional statistics for more information.

Testing Updates

Both the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance Testing Programs will continue to operate during Autumn Quarter when instruction is fully remote, and in reduced locations and hours during holiday breaks for people who are staying on campus. However, we recognize that many participants of both programs will not be on campus during these times and therefore will not able to be tested. For more information, see the updated testing information on the UChicago Forward website.

New State Guidelines

Effective, today, November 20, all 11 regions in the State of Illinois will revert to Tier 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, as announced earlier this week. The state’s Tier 3 guidelines are in line with the previously announced advisory issued by the City of Chicago. The state’s requirements include limiting in-home gatherings to household members, suspending indoor service at bars and restaurants, and a recommendation that all employees who can work remotely should do so.

Please refer to Provost Lee’s November 13 message for more information on how these advisories affect precautions at the University.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

The City of Chicago updated its Emergency Travel Order on Tuesday, moving California, D.C., New Hampshire, and New York from category yellow to category orange (effective today). Idaho moved from red to orange. This means that a total of 11 states are classified as red, with another 37 states and territories classified as orange. As a reminder, travel to states marked red requires a 14-day quarantine period upon returning to Chicago; travel to states marked orange requires either a quarantine period or a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours before returning to Chicago.

Visit the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information.

Holiday Travel and Socializing During Winter Months

This week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that during the coming holiday period people should avoid travel when possible, particularly in areas with high rates of COVID-19, and not hold gatherings of individuals from different households, among other measures. You can find a summary of the CDC’s guidance on the UChicago Forward website.

As recently noted by Dr. Emily Landon, maintaining a small bubble of household contacts is critical to helping flatten the COVID-19 curve while also enabling socializing within the bubble. The City of Chicago’s executive order also states that gatherings in private residences cannot exceed six non-household members. We are asking anyone who does not follow the executive order and gathers with more than 6 people from outside your primary household during the Thanksgiving holiday to curtail your on-campus activity for one week following your gathering. Staff members in this situation should contact their manager to discuss arrangements.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 49 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 487 reports from September 20 through November 16. This included 4 reports on campus grounds, 16 off-campus, 12 in residence halls, 8 in non-lab research or other buildings, 7 in lab research buildings, 2 in dining halls, and 0 at the Medical Center. The reports reflected an almost even split between students and non-students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

November 13, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find the latest COVID-19 data and additional guidance and restrictions from the city and state.

As always, you can find comprehensive information on the UChicago Forward website.

Latest Data

Overall Cases: As of today, the University has had a cumulative total of 269 reported cases of COVID-19 since September 18, including cases detected by surveillance testing as well as reports from members of the University community who were tested after experiencing symptoms or having potential exposure to COVID-19. This number includes reports received from people who have not been on campus or are working from home. Of 68 new cases identified overall in the last week, 36 are students and 32 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. The Contact Tracing Team identified 53 close contacts this week – an average of about 0.78 contacts per positive case.

Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through November 11, the University processed 34,148 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 66 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.19%. The latest 7-day surveillance testing has found 18 positive cases, with a 7-day positivity rate of 0.30%. Surveillance testing is intended to find cases among asymptomatic individuals; as such, the positivity rate provides important information about the state of the virus on campus. Results for most tests have been available within 24 hours, exceeding the 48-hour target.

Isolation Update: As of today, 9 students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 29 students isolating off-campus. In all, 138 individuals have completed the isolation protocol since September 20. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19. 

City and State Dashboards

The COVID-19 caseload has been increasing locally and nationwide in recent weeks. As of November 11, the City of Chicago has a 7-day positivity rate of 14.5%. Please visit the city’s COVID Dashboard for more information.  

As of November 9, Illinois Region 11, which includes Chicago, has a 7-day positivity rate of 13.9% Please visit the state’s regional statistics for more information.

New City and State Guidelines

This week, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois issued new guidelines in light of the worsening pandemic situation in the city, state, and many parts of the country.

Yesterday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Commissioner of Health Dr. Allison Arwady issued an advisory stating that beginning on Monday, November 16, the City is advising all residents to stay at home as much as possible, and only leave the house for work, school, or other essential needs. You can find more information about the Stay at Home Advisory, which will remain in place for 30 days, on the city’s COVID-19 website.

Similarly, the Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday issued guidance that urges individuals to leave home only for “essential activities” over the next three weeks and to work from home as much as possible.

Please see Provost Lee’s message for the implications of these guidelines at the University.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 40 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 438 reports from September 20 through November 9. This included 11 reports on campus grounds, 11 off-campus, 4 in residence halls, 13 in non-lab research or other buildings, 1 in lab research buildings, 0 in dining halls, and 0 at the Medical Center. More reports came in this week from students than non-students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

November 6, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find updates on the latest COVID-19 data, tips to safely celebrate Thanksgiving, and a reminder of the city’s travel restrictions.

As always, you can find comprehensive information on the UChicago Forward website.

Latest Data

Overall Cases: As of today, the University has had a cumulative total of 201 reported cases of COVID-19 since September 18, including cases detected by surveillance testing as well as reports from members of the University community who were tested after experiencing symptoms or having potential exposure to COVID-19. This number includes reports received from people who have not been on campus or are working from home. Of 32 new cases identified overall in the last week, 16staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. While there are more cases among non-students than in past weeks, they appear to be sporadic, unrelated instances. The Contact Tracing Team identified 23– an average of about 0.72 contacts per positive case.

Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through November 4, the University processed 28,968 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 49 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.17%. The latest 7-day surveillance testing has found 4 positive cases, with a 7-day positivity rate of 0.07%. Surveillance testing is intended to find cases among asymptomatic individuals; as such, the positivity rate provides important information about the state of the virus on campus. Results for most tests have been available within 24 hours, exceeding the 48-hour target.

Isolation Update: As of today, fewer than 5 students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 19 students isolating off-campus. In all, 120 individuals have completed the isolation protocol since September 20. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19. 

COVID-19 Dashboard

Tips to Safely Celebrate Thanksgiving

With the holidays approaching, some simple measures can improve the safety of family celebrations. Dr. Emily Landon, Executive Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at UChicago Medicine, has provided recommendations and considerations to guide your preparations for travel and reconnecting with family. She addresses issues such as how to plan for trips during the pandemic, precautions to take for in-person celebrations, and things to discuss before a family get-together. Continuing to uphold the UChicago Health Pact can limit the spread of COVID-19 at home as well as on campus.

Symptomatic Testing

Testing is available for any member of the University campus community with potential COVID-19 symptoms, and anyone who has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Visit UChicago Forward for more information on the Symptomatic Testing Program.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The COVID-19 pandemic can produce feelings of separation, a lack of belonging, and grief for lost loved ones. The University’s Diversity & Inclusion Initiative has compiled a variety of student, faculty, staff and community resources that are available to help address a range of mental health and spiritual concerns. UChicago Student Wellness provides a range of

New Case Notifications

There have been questions about who is notified when a new case of COVID-19 is identified. The University’s Contact Tracing Team routinely notifies the appropriate dean of students, academic leader, work supervisor, or other appropriate medical personnel concerning new cases. A top priority in any such notification is to maintain the confidentiality of infected individuals, and to limit information about a patient’s identity to a small number of University personnel with oversight duties for the patient. More information is available on the COVID-19 Exposures page.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order and COVID Dashboard

The City of Chicago announced on Wednesday that no states were added or removed from its Emergency Travel Order, meaning that 31 states plus Puerto Rico remain on the list. Travelers coming to Chicago from these states are subject to a 14-day quarantine. Check the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information and for a list of affected states.

For the latest information on COVID-19 cases in Chicago, please visit the city’s COVID Dashboard.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 38 reports this week related to COVID-19 issues, for a total of 398 reports from September 20 through November 2. This included 4 reports on campus grounds, 14 off-campus, 3 in residence halls, 7 in non-lab research or other buildings, 7 in lab research buildings, 2 in dining halls, and 1 at the Medical Center. The reports reflected an even split between students and non-students and multiple reports referred to a single incident/concern. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings and social distancing. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

October 30, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find updates on the latest COVID-19 data, information on Thanksgiving, and a summary of new state and city restrictions.

As always, you can find comprehensive information on the UChicago Forward website.

Latest Data

Overall Cases: As of today, the University has had a cumulative total of 169 reported cases of COVID-19 since September 18, including cases detected by surveillance testing as well as reports from members of the University community who were tested after experiencing symptoms or having potential exposure to COVID-19. This number includes reports received from people who have not been on campus or are working from home. Of 45 new cases identified overall in the last week, 37 are students and 8 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. Most of the new student cases are off-campus and appear to be sporadic, unrelated instances. The Contact Tracing Team identified 59 close contacts this week – an average of about 1.3 contacts per positive case.

Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through October 28, the University has processed 24,400 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 47 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.19%. The latest 7-day surveillance testing has found 7 positive cases, with a 7-day positivity rate of 0.12%. Surveillance testing is intended to find cases among asymptomatic individuals; as such, the positivity rate provides important information about the state of the virus on campus. Results for most tests have been available within 24 hours, exceeding the 48-hour target.

Isolation Update: As of today, fewer than 5 students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 27 students isolating off-campus. In all, 95 individuals have completed the isolation protocol since September 20. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19.  

COVID-19 Dashboard

COVID-19 Positive Cases at UChicago – Data from 9/20/20-10/28/20

Additional State Restrictions

In light of a significant increase of COVID-19 cases in the City of Chicago, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced earlier this week that beginning today, Friday, October 30, indoor service at bars and restaurants will be prohibited in Chicago, and outdoor dining must close at 11:00 p.m. The restrictions also include lowering the cap on gatherings from 50 people to 25. The State of Illinois confirmed that these restrictions do not apply to University classrooms or dining halls.

The City of Chicago on Tuesday expanded its Emergency Travel Order to include Florida, bringing the total number of states to 31 plus Puerto Rico. Starting today, travelers coming to Chicago from this state are subject to a 14-day quarantine. Check the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information and for an updated list of affected states.

For the latest information on COVID-19 cases in Chicago, please visit the city’s COVID Dashboard.

Thanksgiving Break

Undergraduates who choose to travel and leave Chicago during Thanksgiving Break will not be allowed to return to on-campus housing and must complete the remainder of the quarter remotely. Students may choose to remain in their residence halls for Thanksgiving Break and the final weeks of the quarter, provided they do not leave the Chicago area or travel during this time. For more information, see the College’s FAQ page.

Avoiding COVID-19 Scams

Nationwide there have been recent scams asking people for personal login or financial information, purportedly as part of COVID-19 contact tracing. Please bear in mind that legitimate contact tracers will never ask for money, credit card or bank information, social security numbers, or immigration status. If you are contacted by the University’s Contact Tracing Team because you have tested positive or potentially were exposed to COVID-19, the first contact will always be from a UChicago email address. Talking to a real contact tracer helps stop the spread of COVID-19. Reporting fraud to security@uchicago.edu helps to stop scammers as well.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. There were 35 new UCAIR reports related to COVID-19 health concerns in the latest week (365 total since September 20).  This included 10 reports on campus grounds, 7 off-campus, 3 in residence halls, 6 in non-lab research buildings, 4 in lab research buildings, 3 in dining halls, and 2 at the Medical Center. The reports reflected an almost even split between students and non-students. The most common themes continue to be small group gatherings without face coverings. The University reviews new UCAIR reports daily and initiates interventions as appropriate.

Weekly Reminder

As we enter flu season, please remember that anyone with flu-like symptoms should get tested immediately for COVID-19. Once we see evidence of flu activity in the area, tests for flu will be administered as well. You can also use UChicago’s C19 Symptom Checker.

Anyone with a University ID can sign up to get a free flu shot at the final flu shot clinic of the quarter on November 6-7 at the Student Wellness Center. Faculty and staff can find other options for getting a flu shot at the informational page; students who need to schedule a different time may call 773-834-WELL for an appointment.

Shout-Outs

Thank you to the new Student Building Assistants who have started working to further enhance COVID-19 safety on our Hyde Park campus. These student assistants visit buildings and locations across campus to review compliance with COVID-19 guidelines and help identify items that may need to be addressed, including missing signage, use of face coverings, and social distancing practices in given locations and times. They can also help people find their way in buildings being used for classes.

Did You Know?

Hanging out can let the virus in. Limit gatherings, particularly while indoors.

October 23, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find updates on the lastest COVID-19 data, a look toward Winter Quarter, and a summary of new state and city restrictions.

As always, you can find comprehensive information on the UChicago Forward website.

Latest Data

Overall Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through October 21, the University has processed 19,701 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 41 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.21%.

There were 37 new COVID-19 cases identified in the last week, with 48 close contacts identified by our Contact Tracing Team.  These figures include reports received from members of the University community  who have not been on campus or are working from home. Of the new cases identified in the last week, 26 are students and 11 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. As of today, fewer than five students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 24 students isolating off-campus. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19.

Winter Quarter

The academic calendar and other details about Winter Quarter will be released soon. Thanks in large part to the sustained efforts of our entire campus community, to date we have had no known cases  of COVID-19 transmission linked to classrooms, with a low positivity rate among students in residence halls. We anticipate building on this approach for in-person instruction and on-campus housing during Winter Quarter.

Additional State and City Restrictions

In light of a significant increase of COVID-19 cases, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that beginning today, Friday October 23, a business curfew is in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for all non-essential businesses in the city. Businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations are exempt from the curfew, and restaurants may continue operating for take-out or delivery. The mayor also emphasized that Chicagoans should avoid social gatherings of more than six people and end all social gatherings by 10:00 p.m.

In addition, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced this week that beginning today, indoor service at bars and restaurants will be prohibited in four of Chicago’s suburban counties – DuPage, Kane, Will and Kankakee. The restrictions also include lowering the cap on gatherings from 50 people to 25 in those counties. 

The City of Chicago on Tuesday expanded its Emergency Travel Order to include people traveling from Colorado, Ohio, Delaware, West Virginia, and Texas. Starting today, travelers coming to Chicago from these states are subject to a 14-day quarantine. Check the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information and for an updated list of affected states.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 43 reports this week concerning COVID-19 issues, for a total of 336 reports since September 20. These reports are reviewed daily and shared with germane University officials, who initiate interventions where appropriate. 

Change in CDC “Close Contact” Definition

This week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its definition of a “close contact,” which now includes anyone who has been within six feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Previously, people were counted as close contacts only if they had a one-time exposure of 15 minutes or more. Our Contact Tracing Team is following the new guidance, which may result in the identification of more close contacts going forward. The CDC’s revised definition provides one more reason to follow public health requirements and maintain a distance of six feet or more.

Training and Attestation

Please remember that anyone returning to campus must complete COVID-19 safety training and the attestation form. University faculty, staff and other employees who have not completed this requirement by October 30 are subject to having their building access revoked after that date.

October 16, 2020 Update

Dear Members of the UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you will find updates on the lastest COVID-19 data, information about cases, and a reminder of the mandatory safety training and attestation.

As always, you can find comprehensive information on the UChicago Forward website.

Latest Data

Overall Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 through October 14, the University has processed 14,855 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 35 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.24%.

There were 36 new COVID-19 cases identified in the last week, with 85 close contacts identified by our Contact Tracing Team.  These figures include reports received from members of the University community  who have not been on campus or are working from home. Of the new cases identified in the last week, 25 are students and 11 are staff, faculty, or other personnel at the University. As of today, fewer than five students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 30 students isolating off-campus. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19.

Update on Chicago Booth

On Oct. 14, the Booth School of Business announced that it would hold classes remotely for two weeks as a precautionary measure, a result of a large off-campus gathering where MBA students were present. Testing this week found five positive results of COVID-19 among students from the Booth School, with 40 close contacts among other Booth students. Testing of additional close contacts is proceeding, and the University will continue to monitor the situation. (Although more than 100 students were connected with the gathering, a lower number met the CDC definition of a close contact with someone known to have COVID-19.) No other University classes have been affected by this cluster of cases.

Symptomatic Testing

If you have potential symptoms of COVID-19, it is imperative to stay home and get tested. The UChicago C19 Symptom Checker will help you check your symptoms and risk factors for the virus.

If you have been exposed to or test positive for COVID-19, promptly report to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu, even if you have not been on campus.

Voluntary Surveillence Testing Program

This week roughly 1,500 additional people registered for weekly testing through the Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program. Those confirmed for the program will receive communications about their acceptance next week and will begin testing over the next few weeks.

Surveillence Testing Makeup Tests

If you are participating in the mandatory and voluntary surveillance testing programs and miss your testing appointment, you will need to attend a makeup appointment. Makeup testing is available on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at one of the two locations used for the University’s Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program:

  • Rosenwald Hall, 1101 E. 58th Street, Suite 100
  • 950 E. 61st Street (formerly known as the Woodlawn Social Services Center (WSSC), Room 3

Training and Attestation

Anyone returning to campus (students, faculty, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, and staff) is required to complete COVID-19 safety training and the attestation form. Access to buildings is prohibited for anyone who does not complete these requirements. The final deadline for University faculty, staff and other employees to complete this requirement is October 30; those who have not completed the requirements are subject to having their building access revoked after that date.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

The City of Chicago on Tuesday expanded its Emergency Travel Order to include Indiana as well as Wisconsin. The order includes exceptions to the quarantine requirement for people who live in the states included in the travel order who must travel to Chicago for work or school.  It also includes an exception to the quarantine for Chicago residents who must travel to the travel order states for work or school. The City of Chicago also clarified that anyone who travels to travel order states (including Wisconsin or Indiana) for non-work purposes, even if for less than 24 hours, are required to quarantine for 14 days upon returning to Chicago. The order says that Chicago residents are “strongly advised” not to travel to these states.

Check the city’s Emergency Travel Order for more information and for an updated list of affected states.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 79 reports this week concerning COVID-19 issues, for a total of 247 reports since September 20.

Weekly Reminder

It’s important to socialize while maintaining discipline about the size of gatherings, indoors and out. The City of Chicago order stipulates that gatherings in residences cannot include more than six people who do not live there. Please help limit potential spread by keeping gatherings small, maintaining distance, and wearing a mask. For ideas about how students can socialize while upholding health and safety requirements, please refer to our Guidelines for Safe Socializing.

 

October 9, 2020 Update

Dear Members of UChicago Community,

In this edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update, you can find updates on the latest COVID-19 data, a new online tool for checking symptoms, information on new tent spaces, and other actions that our community is taking in response to the pandemic.

You can find comprehensive information on the UChicago Forward website.

Latest Data

Overall Surveillance Testing Data: From September 20 to October 8, the University has processed 9,965 tests as part of the Mandatory and Voluntary Surveillance programs, with 26 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.26%.

Taking into account reports received from all members of the University community – including those who have not been on campus or are working from home – there have been 33 COVID-19 cases in the last week, with 32 close contacts identified and notified by our Contract Tracing Team. Of the new cases identified in the last week, 26 are students, and 7 are staff, faculty, or other employees of the University. As of today, 6 students are in on-campus isolation housing, with 21 students isolating off-campus. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD

*COVID-19 Positive Cases at UChicago – Data from 10/1/20-10/7/20

The University’s COVID-19 Dashboard – updated on a daily and weekly basis – has been updated to provide the ability to sort testing data.

First Week of In-Person Classes

Monday, October 5, marked the start of in-person instruction in the College and many graduate programs, with seating layouts, cleaning protocols, ventilation, and other operational specifications adjusted according to public health guidelines. Compliance with safety protocols has been good, based on feedback from instructors and from monitors who are spot-checking buildings and classrooms. Students need to be aware that they should wipe down their seat and desk both before and after use. Updated signage on this point will be deployed soon.           

Voluntary COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program

Registration to enroll in the Voluntary COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program will re-open on Monday, October 12, and will be available until 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, for those not already part of the University’s surveillance testing programs. Emails starting Monday will provide information on how to register. We encourage anyone in the University community who might be on campus during Autumn Quarter and is not already enrolled to register for this weekly testing program.

Symptom Checker

The UChicago C19 Symptom Checker is a new online tool designed to help you with your daily symptom check  and risk factors to see if your symptoms and risk factors indicate potential COVID-19 infection. The Checker is based on clinical best practices and CDC guidelines, and takes into account illness severity and risk factors such as age and pre-existing conditions. Anyone who finds they have symptoms should not go to their University destination and should consult their healthcare provider and inform their supervisor or academic leader. Students should call UChicago Student Wellness at 773.834.WELL. Others may call the UChicago Medicine COVID-19 triage hotline for screening, at 773.702.2800. 

All members of the University community are strongly encouraged to visit the site and familiarize themselves with the tool. Setting a daily reminder for yourself each morning is a good way to build the habit of using the Symptom Checker. It’s easy to use and entirely confidential.

City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order

The City of Chicago is expected to add Indiana to its quarantine list next week due to rising COVID-19 activity. If that happens:

  • UChicago students, faculty, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, and staff who live in Indiana will be able to travel to and from the University for education, research, and work, and will be expected to limit their activities to those functions while in Chicago. The same approach already applies to people who live in Wisconsin and travel to and from the University for those purposes.

Additional information will be provided next week if and when Indiana is added to the quarantine list. Chicago’s list of quarantine states is updated each Tuesday, and changes go into effect on Friday. Check the city’s Emergency Travel Order web page for an updated list of affected states.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

As a reminder, UCAIR is the University’s anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. UCAIR received 79 reports this week concerning COVID-19 issues, for a total of 247 reports since September 20. The most common problems reported this week involved universal face coverings and social distancing.

For ideas about how students can socialize while upholding health and safety requirements, please refer to our Guidelines for Safe Socializing.

Off-Campus Cases

In the last week, our Contact Tracing Team and epidemiology specialists at UChicago Medicine identified five cases involving College students living together in one house off campus. As a result, all residents of the house have been directed to quarantine. Cooperation with all contact tracing efforts is critical in such cases to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Available Spaces

The University is completing installation of heated tents available in locations across campus. These tents will be used as alternative spaces for instruction, for limited outdoor seating for students to use for study space and dining, and for approved extracurricular convenings. You can find more information on how to reserve and use the tents on UChicago Forward.

The Library has begun welcoming limited numbers of faculty, students and staff back to library spaces. Registration is required for seating. Visit the Library website for more information.

October 2, 2020 Update

Dear Members of UChicago Community, 

Welcome to the first edition of the UChicago Forward Weekly COVID-19 Update. This message will inform the University community about the latest data and developments relevant to COVID-19 on our campus, and help reinforce public health precautions and other actions that our community is taking in response to the pandemic. For more information, please visit the UChicago Forward website.

Latest Data

All students living in on-campus housing have now moved in and begun weekly testing as part of the University’s Mandatory Surveillance Testing Program, and the Voluntary Surveillance Testing Program began this week. From September 20 through October 1 the University has processed 4,979 tests as part of these programs, with 9 positive results, for an overall positivity rate of 0.18%. All students who tested positive have been notified and residential students have been relocated to University isolation housing, with support from staff in UChicago Student Wellness and Housing and Residence Life.

In all, including others in the University community who have tested positive, there have been 14 COVID-19 cases in the last week, with 37 close contacts identified and notified by our Contact Tracing Team. These numbers include positive results identified through the surveillance testing programs and others who were tested because of symptoms or because they were recently in close contact with someone who tested positive. It also includes a number of people who have not been on campus or are working from home.

We must remain vigilant in following safety protocols, and not become complacent regardless of the number of cases. The University anticipated and was prepared for some new cases as some students tested positive upon arrival, which is why we instituted a 10-day stay-at-home directive for everyone in campus housing at the start of the quarter. Anyone arriving from a state on the City of Chicago’s Travel Quarantine List is required to complete a 14-day quarantine, leaving their housing only for medical visits. The UChicago Forward site has additional information on isolation and quarantine.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD

Today the University launched an expanded version of our COVID-19 Dashboard, which provides a range of data on the University’s COVID-19 surveillance testing program, updates on students in isolation, and the overall number of cases and close contacts. The Dashboard is updated on a daily and weekly basis.

Corrective Action

Everyone returning to campus must uphold the required training and attestation, as summarized in the UChicago Health Pact. While we do not want to be punitive in enforcing these requirements, some behavior requires swift action to help protect the health and safety of our community. This week, two students were removed from on-campus housing for the rest of Autumn Quarter for violations of University and City of Chicago public health requirements, and other students who have been in large groups outdoors while violating public health requirements have received final warnings.

Most members of the University community have been upholding public health requirements. This is essential for us to have a successful Autumn Quarter and we thank you for your efforts in this regard.

Upholding Public Health Requirements

UCAIR is the University anonymous reporting system that can be used to report concerns about compliance with COVID-19 health requirements. Since September 20, UCAIR has received 211 reports concerning COVID-19 issues; the most common problems reported were failure to observe six feet of social distancing, and failure to wear face coverings appropriately. Concerns have also been reported through UCAIR about gatherings of students in off-campus venues.

For people who are not currently under quarantine, being outside can be a good way to socialize safely. But it’s important to keep at least six feet from others, wear face coverings except when eating and drinking, and follow other public health requirements. The University has placed reminders about these requirements in a number of outside areas.

Cases Involving Harris School Students

The University’s Contact Tracing Team and colleagues at UChicago Medicine identified a small cluster of COVID-19 cases this week involving students at the Harris School of Public Policy. Although the interactions among students were all off-campus, and students were taking some COVID-19 precautions, the situation serves as a reminder to employ all of the practices we have identified to prevent the spread of the virus, which are described in the Health Pact. It also highlights the importance of self-quarantine and testing for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19.  Anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 case, symptoms or exposure should promptly self-report to C19HealthReport@uchicago.edu, even if you have not been on campus.

Weekly Reminder

Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others whenever possible. Visit the UChicago Health Pact.

Shout-Outs

As we begin the campus testing programs, the new UChicago Contact Tracing Team has quickly determined whether students with positive test results had any close contacts who also needed to be tested. Please remember that a contact tracer’s job is critical to public health and that their work is in support of the entire University community; it is not meant to cast blame or lead to disciplinary action.  Cooperation with the process is critical to preventing spread of the virus. Thank you to the team, and to everyone who has helped them do their vital work.

Did You Know?

A sneeze can travel up to 65 mph. Wear a face covering.