To All Members of the Campus Community:

I hope your winter semester is going well so far. As Dr. Maybank reminded us during Monday’s MLK Symposium, proximity is a privilege. The last few months drive that point home. After years of pandemic life, returning to a more normal campus experience this fall was a meaningful reminder of what makes this place so special. It is great to be a Michigan Wolverine–but it is even better when we are together.

Following our return from the semester break, COVID-19 activity has held steady. The campus health surveillance team continues to monitor transmission rates, wastewater data, and the emergence of new variant strains. Unlike this same time last year, we have not seen a significant surge in cases. Capacity at the health service clinics and testing centers has allowed for easy access and, given the very manageable number of cases affecting university housing residents, the census in our campus isolation space has remained low. All indications are that the winter semester is off to a great start.

I encourage each of you to get your flu shot if you haven’t already. Flu activity is peaking right now, but fortunately this year’s flu shot appears to be a strong match for the current strains of influenza circulating in our community. It should offer you and those around you additional protection as we get through the rest of flu season. This month’s remaining pop-up vaccination clinics offer a convenient way to get both your flu shot and a COVID-19 booster.

Due to decreased demand, the Community Sampling and Tracking Program (CSTP) site at Palmer Commons will be closed after Friday, February 3. Sites at Ross, Pierpont Commons and Occupational Health Services (OHS) will remain open, offering free and fast asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR tests. You can sign up for these tests online.

As a reminder, CSTP sites also offer N-95 and KN-95 masks, and rapid antigen tests. Stop by any time during open hours to pick these up–you do not need an appointment. Symptomatic testing can be done through UHS or OHS.

Sincerely,

Robert D. Ernst, M.D.
Chief Health Officer
Associate Vice President of Student Life
Executive Director of University Health Service