February 26, 2021
The number of COVID-19 cases at the University of Wyoming during the spring semester so far is significantly less than in the autumn semester, coupled with a downward trend in cases in the state and the country.
Of the total of 1,994 cases reported among UW staff and students since the start of the pandemic, 179 have been reported so far this year. And while UW continued a rigorous testing program this semester, the rate of positivity during the first five weeks was significantly lower than during the same period in the fall semester.
For example, while the sample prevalence increased from 0.34 percent in the first week of the fall semester to 0.85 percent in week five, it fell from 0.34 percent in the first week of the spring semester to 0.07 percent in week five.
As of Thursday, the number of active cases was six – two students on campus and four students off campus. The number of people quarantined for 14 days due to exposure to the virus is 15 to 12 students on campus and three students and off-campus staff.
“This is a dramatic and positive change, and I want to thank the entire UW family for working to help make our community safer – both those who are participating responsibly in testing and those who work tirelessly to manage the process,” UW O President Ed Seidel says. “We know that our requirements for testing, physical distance, wearing masks and avoiding large meetings have been very demanding on our community. But our students, teachers and staff have demonstrated the true UW Cowboy spirit in obeying, and these measures have helped us get to where we are today. “
The UW surveillance program, one of the most innovative in the country, conducted a total of 116,153 tests, with 1,277 positive results, for a prevalence rate of 1.11 percent. So far this month, however, there have been only 60 positives out of 29,325 tests, for a prevalence rate of 0.20 percent.
Public health experts say continued adherence to COVID-19 requirements and guidelines is essential for the trend to continue.
“Now is not the time to let your guard down,” says Seidel. “The virus is still out there and we could see a resurgence if we conclude that this battle is over and stop doing what we are doing.”
UW is planning a fall semester of 2021 with more personal experiences and less restrictions related to COVID-19, depending on the availability and acceptance of the vaccine, along with the continued downward trend in the number of infections.
According to the plan, UW faculty and staff would need to have access to the vaccine at least six weeks before the start of the fall semester scheduled for August 23 for the semester to continue with full-face classes, face-to-face involvement programs. students, face-to-face athletics experiences and so on. In addition, it will be necessary to loosen the rules of the Wyoming Department of Health and the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding meetings and classroom capacity. Vaccine efficacy and acceptance – at this point, at least 70 percent of UW community members will need to be vaccinated to achieve the necessary levels of immunity – will also be taken into account, along with COVID-19 infection numbers.
University leaders hope to have enough information on these issues in early June to make a final decision on the approach for the fall semester.
UW is collaborating with Albany County Public Health and Ivinson Memorial Hospital to administer vaccines to county residents who are in categories 4-6 of the Phase 1b priority schedule in the Wyoming Department of Health distribution guidelines. It is not yet known when Albany County will begin Phase 1c, but UW faculty and staff, along with students from the university residency, will be in that phase. All students will be encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as possible, based on their current locations.
More information about UW’s COVID-19 response can be found at www.uwyo.edu/campus-return, which is being updated as the information becomes available. Those with questions about testing and other COVID-19 issues can call (307) 766-COVD (2683) or email [email protected].
Specific questions about the vaccine should be sent to [email protected]. A UW vaccine web page was established at www.uwyo.edu/alerts/campus-return/vaccination.