Category: Covid-19

Microsoft has informed employees that it will require proof of vaccination for anyone entering a Microsoft building in the US starting in September. Employees who have a medical condition or a protected reason, such as religion, that prevents them from getting a vaccine can get a special accommodation. The company has also pushed its full office reopening date from September to no earlier than October 4th, 2021.

Here is the companys full statement, shared with The Verge:

As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we continue to closely track new developments and adapt our plans as this situation evolves, keeping employee health and safety top of mind. Based on our continued consultation with health and data experts, our earliest date for the full opening of our U.S. worksites will be no earlier than October 4, 2021. Starting in September, well also require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors, and any guests entering Microsoft buildings in the U.S., and will have an accommodation process in place for employees. We continue to review the situation on a local basis in each region/country/state where we work and will adjust dates and policies as needed.

Staff who are caregivers to immunosuppressed people or are parents with children too young to get the vaccine will be able to work from home until January, Microsoft tells The Verge.

Microsofts announcements follow a surge in COVID-19 cases around the country and stricter policies put in place by other tech companies. Facebook is requiring all US employees to wear masks in offices and that all employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 when they return to offices. Facebook expects to fully reopen in October. Google will also require employees to be vaccinated before they can return to the office and has delayed that return to October 18th.

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Microsoft will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter buildings in the US - The Verge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A year ago at this time, Rhode Islanders had recently mourned the first 1,000 lives claimed by the coronavirus pandemic, as the nations smallest state averaged about 100 new cases per day.

Fast forward to this week: COVID-19 has killed another 1,740 Rhode Islanders since then, and the state is averaging more than 150 new cases per day an increase from 15 since June.

Public health experts are hopeful this year will be different. Scientific research and billions of dollars helped create highly effective vaccines. Nearly 60% of Rhode Islands population has been fully vaccinated, offering a new level of protection that didnt exist 12 months ago.

Were certainly over the worst of the pandemic, Brown University school of public health dean Dr. Ashish Jha told The New Yorker last week. I dont think were ever going to go back to the level of suffering and death we saw at the end of last year.

But nearly a year and a half into the pandemic, Rhode Island is facing different albeit similarly complicated problems. The highly contagious delta variant is kicking up infections at an alarming rate.

And health experts including Jha are concerned that too many people are trying to look beyond the doom and gloom of the past 18 months rather than recognize that the coronavirus remains a threat to public health and a danger to the U.S. economy.

In some ways, people feel like the pandemic is done and its behind us here in the U.S., Jha told The New Yorker. And yet the surge of infections from the delta variant is just getting going, and is really going to challenge us over the next several months. And most Americans, I think, arent aware of how much worse things could get.

In Rhode Island, a Target 12 analysis of year-over-year data shows new infections and the states positivity rate are higher than this time last year, even as testing is relatively comparable. Health officials attribute this largely to the delta variant, which is about 40% to 60% more contagious than the original virus. And federal officials estimate upward of 80% of all new infections are the delta variant.

If there is a silver lining, however, its that the latest surge of infections in Rhode Island so far hasnt come with a corresponding wave of hospitalizations and deaths.

In July, for example, R.I. Department of Health data shows COVID-19 hospital admissions totaled 95 people, compared to 212 during the same month last year. Rhode Island reported only five COVID-19 deaths for the month compared to 49 a year earlier.

Health officials are bullish that this is evidence the vaccines are working as designed: older adults and people with underlying health conditions, who are more susceptible to hospitalization and death after contracting the virus, are now vaccinated.

And as a result, Rhode Island is seeing fewer hospitalizations and deaths than last year, even as infections are higher.

Remember, the original premise behind these vaccines were that they would substantially reduce the risk of death and severe disease and hospitalization, former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Sunday on CBSs Face The Nation. That premise is still fully intact.

But it also means the virus isnt petering out like many health experts and Rhode Islanders hoped might happen after vaccinations became widely available. And the virus is infecting mostly the unvaccinated, with the Health Department estimating 91% of new cases since Jan. 1 have been among people who havent received a shot.

The unvaccinated group includes people who have decided against getting a shot so far, along with those who are ineligible: children. Indeed, Health Department data shows weekly infection rates are increasing across all age groups, but rates among children and teenagers are higher than any age group 60 years and older.

When you hear we have a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Yes that includes kids. But largely only in unvaccinated communities, Jha tweeted on Monday. Very few kids in highly vaccinated places are getting sick. So if you want to protect kids, make sure everyone around them has the shot.

At the federal level, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending masks again, as the nations top health officials say the delta variant is behaving differently than past strains of the virus.

Information on the delta variant from several states and other countries indicate that in rare occasions some vaccinated people infected with the delta variant after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said last week. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendations.

Fully vaccinated Americans are now supposed to mask up indoors if they live in areas of the country with substantial or high coronavirus transmission. With a 7-day average of more than 100 new cases per 100,000 residents as of Monday, Rhode Island classifies as a state with high transmission.

Yet Gov. Dan McKee so far has decided against reacting to the new surge of infections with any new public health mandates, falling out of line with the Biden administration. He points to Rhode Islands relatively high vaccination rate compared to other states as evidence those arent needed right now.

The data that Im seeing is telling us that were in good shape, McKee said last week during a news conference, echoing previous statements that he doesnt want Rhode Island to move backward.

I would hope that the CDC would take into consideration states that actually followed the guidance that was given out of the White House and out of the CDC and recognize states that have done a really great job, so that we dont pull a fire alarm, in fact, if there is no fire, McKee added. Right now, with all the data Ive seen, we dont have a fire.

Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is an investigative reporter for WPRI 12. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Here's how COVID-19 looks in 2021 compared to 2020 in Rhode Island - WPRI.com

Parents of students in grades six and below will have the option for their children to learn virtually to start the school year due to the "rapidly changing conditions" of COVID-19 in Texas, Frisco ISD announced Tuesday.

The district said the option to learn virtually would not be offered for students in seventh grade and above because the COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use in people 12 years old and older.

The deadline for parents to enroll their students in virtual learning is Thursday at 11:59 p.m.

Parents who unenrolled their student from Frisco ISD, but are interested in returning virtually, will need to re-enroll as a new student, the district said.

The first day of school for in-person students in Frisco ISD is Aug. 12; for online students, the first day will be Aug. 16.

While parents and teachers around the state would prefer students back in the classroom, Frisco ISD officials said online learning worked last year.

"As a group, our virtual learners did better than our in-person learners even when we account for socioeconomic status, they still perform better," Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip said.

NBC 5 tracks how North Texas schools tackle the return to the classroom during a pandemic.

Waldrip said their success virtually and the rising COVID-19 numbers in North Texas made it a simple choice. Virtual learning has to happen, even if the district has to pay for itwithout state help. They're counting on federal and local dollars, for now, but hoping state lawmakers step up.

The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state has climbed to levels not reached since February. Experts say the delta variant now accounts for the majority of coronavirus cases in Texas.

"The way this disease appears to be affecting children, people are just concerned about sending their kids to school and I understand that and feel like we need to provide that option," he said.

Waldrip said the need for online learning is there, and when done right, it works. He said he hoped lawmakers would step in and help districts pay for it.

"I do wish Gov.Abbottwould consider putting the virtual learning bill back on the agenda for a special session," Waldrip said. "It went through both chambers and was sitting right there.I think people agreed we needed it."

Waldrip said Frisco ISD students who aren't doing well virtually will have to come back in person. The district wants to stay on top of progress.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed an executive order that prohibits school districts from mandating masks. Two different Texas teachers associations have called on Abbott to allow local control, while many North Texas districts are taking the precautions they can take and encouraging the use of face coverings.

"We thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate these times," Frisco ISD said in a statement. "The District is hopeful for as normal a school year as possible and looks forward to welcoming your student for another great year of learning."

In the letter posted on the district website, Frisco ISD emphasized that new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics is for all people above the age of 2 to wear a mask in schools -- regardless of vaccination status.

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Frisco ISD to Offer Virtual Learning Amid Changing' COVID-19 Conditions - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

LUBBOCK, Texas According to a city health official, with COIVD-19 hospitalizations quickly on the rise, the percentage of people in local hospitals with coronavirus is approaching 15 percent.

Essentially, this means Lubbock is approaching a point where 15 percent of all people hospitalized in the city are in the hospital for COVID-19.

Officials said the most important thing about the COVID-19 vaccine is that it prevents serious illnesses from happening.

The best tool we have in our toolbox right now is the COVID vaccine, said Katherine Wells, director of the City of Lubbock Health Department. We are seeing fewer severe illnesses, less illness and less spread.

Officials say that they dont know what will happen if we go over the 15 percent threshold of COVID-19 hospitalizations. Notably, several state Trauma Service Areas (TSAs) have exceeded 15 percent hospitalizations in recent days.

Following a recent executive order by Governor Greg Abbott, municipalities cannot implement COVID restrictions, but can make recommendations and highly encourage them.

We cant mandate anyone get vaccinated. We cant mandate somebody to wear a mask; however, those recommendations are going to be highly encouraged, said Wells.

The citify health department said they would do all they can to help aid in the safety of the public. The health department is also training more contact tracers to determine who among the infected were vaccinated and whether they were hospitalized.

County Judge Curtis Parrish said he recommends getting vaccinated, but emphasized it is a choice.

Getting a vaccine is a choice. You are not being forced to by the government in any way, shape or form, Parrish said. It is a choice, and [the county] is asking you to choose to be vaccinated.

The City of Lubbocks health department is offering free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. You can visit theirwebsitefor more information.

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City of Lubbock approaches 15% mark for COVID-19 hospitalizations - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

People with protective face masks walk through the quiet city centre during a lockdown to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Sydney, Australia, July 28, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

SYDNEY, Aug 4 (Reuters) - An Australian man in his 20s died at home of COVID-19 in Sydney, authorities said on Wednesday, one of the country's youngest coronavirus deaths.

The man, who was unvaccinated, was 13 days into home isolation after testing positive when his health deteriorated rapidly, authorities said, adding that he lived with one person who had been hospitalised with the virus.

The death highlighted the risk from the virus and the importance of getting vaccinated, said health leaders, who have set a target of having half of Sydney's population inoculated before lifting the city's lockdown by a target date of Aug. 28.

"It demonstrates again how this disease is lethal, how it affects people of all ages," said Gladys Berejiklian, premier of New South Wales state, of which Sydney is the capital.

The man's identity and how he caught the virus were not disclosed. He lived in southwest Sydney, the epicentre of an outbreak related to the Delta virus strain that has ravaged the country's most populous city for weeks.

Of about 17 deaths from the virus since the flare-up began in June, nearly a third have been people at home, according to the government. The man's death was referred for a formal inquest, the authorities said.

A woman in her 80s also died in a hospital in the past day, taking the national total to 927 since the start of the pandemic.

On Wednesday, Sydney reported 233 new cases, up from 199 a day earlier.

Total infections in the state's worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic topped 4,000 since the first one was detected on June 16.

In a bid to arrest a spike in cases, authorities have taken aggressive countermeasures, including sealing off high-risk suburbs and asking military to help police enforce lockdown rules. read more

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said the state should hit a target of six million shots by the end of the month - at least one dose to all of its adult population.

Neighbouring Queensland reported 16 locally acquired cases, the same as the day earlier, prompting authorities to declare it the state's worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic and warn that a lockdown in state capital Brisbane might be extended beyond Sunday.

"Every time someone leaves their home they increase the risk that this lockdown may need to go on longer ... now is not the time to buy outdoor furniture, there will be time before summer to get sun lounges," Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.

The fast-moving Delta strain has alarmed authorities while a slow vaccine rollout frustrated residents. Only about 20% of people older than 16 have been fully vaccinated.

Reporting by Renju Jose and Byron Kaye. Editing by Gerry Doyle

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Australia records one of its youngest COVID-19 deaths amid Sydney outbreak - Reuters

The County of San Luis Obispo reported two deaths due to COVID-19 along with an increase in hospitalizations and COVID-19 cases in the county on Tuesday.

Eight residents are currently in the hospital, with three of those being in the ICU.

386 new cases of COVID-19 have also been reported.

One of the deaths was an individual in their 60s and the other was a resident in their 80s.

The Delta variant is here, and we are seeing its impact, said Dr. Penny Borenstein, SLO County Health Officer. Nobody wants to experience this illness or see our local health care system stretched by a surge in cases. If you have been waiting, I urge you to make an appointment or walk in and get your vaccine."

The countys public health department is now providing more incentives to encourage people to get the vaccine.

Now is the time to stop this surge and protect the ones we love, said Dr. Borenstein. Get vaccinated, wash your hands often, and get tested if you experience symptoms of COVID-19. If you havent been vaccinated yet, its essential that you wear a mask indoors.

Click here for a list of locations and hours of operation for the county's Public Health clinics and mobile vaccine events.

Link:

SLO County health officials report two new COVID-19 deaths, rise in cases and hospitalizations - KSBY San Luis Obispo News

Austin, TexasAs theCOVID-19viruscontinues to surge, especially areaswhere vaccination ratesare stagnating,Austin-Travis Countyyesterdaysurpassedthe grim milestone of900 COVID-19 deaths.

Just this monthin July, over 4,150 new, confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19COVID-19-relateddeaths have been reported to Austin Public Health(APH).Thedata andsciencecontinues to show thatvaccinations arethe most effectiveavailabletool toprevent severe illness, death, andtostop thecontinuedspreadand mutationof this deadly disease.

"We must work together to prevent more deaths from COVID-19,"said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. OneCOVID-19 relateddeathistoo many;we are mourning 900loved ones.Iimploreour community togetvaccinated and follow the basic precautions we know work: wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands regularly, and stay home if you are sick.

Local deaths rangein age from peopleas young as 20 to over80yearsofage,butareconcentrated among those who areover 60 years old. TheAPH surveillance dashboardprovides more information on the demographics of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.AlthoughAustin-Travis Countyreachedits milestone ofvaccinating 70% of residents with one dose of the vaccineon July7,the rate of vaccination has stalled inrecent weeks.Hospitals haveseen a surge of new cases and admissions among the unvaccinated.

"One simple actcan help avert needlesstragedy.Get vaccinated," said InterimAustin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup."The resourcesare in your neighborhoodto protect you, your family, and your community.Whetherit bevaccinations,testing,ormasking -together, we canstop this pandemic now.

Austin-Travis County is inStage 4of theRisk-Based Guidelines

Austin-Travis County iscurrently in Stage4 butcould move to Stage 5as hospitalizationscontinuerise.

TheAPH Risk-Based Guidelines chartoutlines recommended behavior for individuals at different stages of community spread.The most recent guidelines recommend everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks and follow the basic protocols of social distancing and handwashing.

These guidelines applyatgatherings, dining, shoppingand traveling. Thoseunvaccinated shouldtestfor COVID-19 and ifthetest results are negative,and it is medically feasible,get thevaccineas soon as possible.

Testing Information -Showingsymptoms? Exposed to apositivecase? Gettested andquarantine.

APH manages testing sitesand mobile clinicsacross Austin and Travis County.Appointments are not required for the two testing sites currently openhowever,individualsare encouraged toschedule a COVID-19 testing appointment.

Those whodo not have access to the internetcan call 3-1-1to complete theassessment. Testing is also available through localpharmacies. Thosewithhealthinsurance should call their doctor or insurance company to review their options.

Vaccinations are freeand at a location nearby. No identification is required.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free anddo not requireidentification nor insurance.Residents can locate providers in their area usingVaccines.govor they can text their zip code to 438829 (822862 in Spanish) tofind a nearby clinic.

For additional business guidance, visitwww.ATXrecovers.comfor recommendations to help prioritize thehealth and safetyof employees and customers.

Additional information regarding COVID-19, testing, and vaccinations can be found atAustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

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Austin-Travis County Marks the 900th Death Due to COVID-19 - AustinTexas.gov

"I think we will see this big, steep acceleration," Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director for the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, said to CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday. "As bad as things are right now in the South, they are about to get worse for lots of unvaccinated individuals." Officials in Southern states, where vaccination rates have generally lagged other parts of the country, are working to get the message out. In Florida, Covid-19 cases have jumped 50% over the last week, according to state health data.

In Georgia, the case rate has more than tripled over the last 14-day period, the state Department of Public Health announced Friday as it urged residents to get vaccinated since the Delta variant is more transmissible than earlier Covid-19 strains.

"Unfortunately, we can expect Covid numbers to keep growing. People who are unvaccinated or skip their second dose of vaccine are targets for infection," said Georgia health commissioner Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey.

Entering the weekend, 49.5% of Americans of all ages are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data. Nearly 33% of those eligible for vaccination -- those ages 12 and up -- have yet to receive at least one dose.

Mask mandates return for vaccinated and unvaccinated

Due to the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant, officials are preaching for all Americans -- regardless of vaccination status -- to be mindful of their surroundings.

Aerosols containing Covid-19 can travel as easily as the smoke from a cigarette, Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said Friday.

"If you want to understand what an aerosol is, just think of somebody smoking," Osterholm told CNN. "If you can smell a cigarette in the location you're at, then you're breathing someone else's air that may have the virus in it."

Osterholm noted that while indoor transmission of the virus is the main challenge, there are examples of Covid-19 being transmitted outdoors, when people were close together for extended periods of time.

Because of this, mask mandates are making a return in more cities.

"If we take the steps that are necessary to squash the amount of disease that is there now, we can do so in a matter of weeks, if we all get vaccinated, if we wear masks," CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told Fox News on Friday.

More than 80% of the US population about 274 million people live in a county considered to have "high" or "substantial" Covid-19 transmission, according to a CNN analysis of data published Friday by the CDC.

ICUs are filling up again

As the Delta variant spreads, hospitalizations are accumulating to levels of concern.

Mississippi, which has one of the lowest rates of vaccination among US states, is dealing with a skyrocketing level of Covid-19 patients needing hospitalization.

Data from the Mississippi Department of Health on Friday showed that out of 827 ICU beds statewide, only 107, or approximately 13%, are currently available. All 88 beds in the University of Mississippi Medical Center's intensive care unit, the state's largest, are full.

State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said Thursday that hospitalizations are beginning to be seen in younger age groups. He pointed to data that shows 88% of hospitalizations are among unvaccinated people, and it is having a "significant spill-over effect to older, vaccinated Mississippians."

In Texas, Austin Public Health says the region is facing the lowest staffed ICU bed capacity since the beginning of the pandemic, with only 16 staffed beds available.

"Our ICU capacity is reaching a critical point where the level of risk to the entire community has significantly increased, and not just to those who are needing treatment for Covid," Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said on Friday. "If we fail to come together as a community now, we jeopardize the lives of loved ones who might need critical care."

Florida healthcare facilities continue to prepare for the surge, as the AdventHealth Hospital System stopped all non-emergency surgeries and procedures due to high Covid-19 hospitalization.

AdventHealth Central Florida Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Neil Finkler said on Friday that over 90% of the Covid-19 patients currently hospitalized are unvaccinated.

"None of these patients thought they would get the virus, but the Delta variant has proven to be so highly contagious that even the young and the healthy, including pregnant patients, are now starting to fill up our hospitals," Finkler said.

CNN's Deanna Hackney, Lauren Mascarenhas, Deidre McPhillips, Jennifer Henderson, Raja Razek, Brandon Miller and Hollie Silverman contributed to this report.

Originally posted here:

The surge of Covid-19 infections for unvaccinated people is only beginning, experts warn - CNN

NOTICE OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 EXPOSURE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF AT THE TABERNACLE YOUTH PROGRAM IN ORCHARD PARK

ERIE COUNTY, NY The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is sharing the following notice for staff and families of participants at the Tabernacle Church Vacation Bible School summer program in Orchard Park.

A COVID-19 case investigation determined that there were potential COVID-19 exposures at the Tabernacle Church, 3210 Southwestern Blvd. in Orchard Park on July 23, 2021.

ECDOH is making this announcement out of an abundance of caution and to prevent additional COVID-19 transmission. Staff, volunteers and families who participated in youth program activities at the Tabernacle in Orchard Park on July 23 should seek a diagnostic COVID-19 test. Free diagnostic COVID-19 tests are available through ECDOH by calling (716) 858-2929 or (716) 858-7697. Other diagnostic testing sites in Erie County are listed at: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you. Diagnostic COVID-19 tests are strongly recommended 5-7 days past the last date of exposure.

COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Case investigations identify close contacts, inform those contacts of their exposure, place those individuals in quarantine and advise them to seek a diagnostic test and watch for symptoms. ECDOH makes public notifications of potential COVID-19 exposures when efforts to obtain contact tracing information are unsuccessful.After multiple communications from ECDOH, the facility was unwilling to cooperate with contact tracing staff.

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NOTICE OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 EXPOSURE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF AT THE TABERNACLE YOUTH PROGRAM IN ORCHARD PARK - Erie County

All students, faculty and staff on all three campuses of the University of Michigan are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit their vaccination information before the start of the fall term, university officials announced July 30.

The universitywide vaccine requirement, which also applies to Michigan Medicine, was announced July 30 in an email to the campus community signed by President Mark S. Schlissel; Susan M. Collins, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; Marschall S. Runge, executive vice president for medical affairs; and Brian T. Smith, interim executive vice president and chief financial officer. UM-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso and UM-Flint Chancellor Debasish Dutta also signed the message.

The announcement comes as the rate of COVID-19 infections increases across the country, particularly in states and sub-populations with the lowest vaccination rates and as the predominant delta variant proves to be much more infectious.

Widespread vaccination is the primary and most effective tool that will bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control and it is the key to a vibrant and engaging academic year, officials wrote in the email.

The vaccine requirement also applies to those working or learning remotely.

Were making this announcement today to allow those who remain unvaccinated the time to begin their vaccination series in the month ahead, the message said. While we will provide limited exemptions for medical and religious reasons, it is imperative that all members of our community are protected from this devastating virus.

This step is consistent with the advice of our campus public health experts. It also is in line with recent announcements made on university and health care campuses and by companies across the nation, including the Veterans Health Administration, Google and the Mayo Clinic, though each has variations for its organization. More than 600 colleges and universities have announced vaccination requirements of various types.

There also is strong internal support for a vaccine mandate from Central Student Government, Rackham Student Government, deans of the schools and colleges, a Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs resolution and a survey of U-M faculty.

Michigan Medicine has dealt directly with the harmful toll of this virus, responding to surges of acutely ill patients while still providing important health care services using strict infection control protocols. Increased vaccination among health care personnel is crucial to Michigan Medicines commitment to the safety of patients, their families and staff.

The university will require all faculty, staff and students to do one of the following:

The exemption process for U-M campuses and Michigan Medicine is being developed and will be communicated by Aug. 4. Those individuals who request and are approved for a medical or religious exemption will be required to complete mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing and must continue to mask indoors while on campus.

Beginning Aug. 9, the university will make advisers available to students, faculty and staff who havequestions about the vaccine, its safety or the importance of being vaccinated. Details will be shared when available through the Record, unit human resourcesrepresentatives and the Division of Student Life.

Weekly COVID-19 testing and continued masking indoors will be required of these individuals as they work to become compliant. Ultimately, non-compliant students, faculty and staff will be subject to appropriate campus disciplinary procedures.

University officials will postpone making any further changes to U-Ms broader masking policy, which now requires masking indoors and in classrooms, in light of recent guidance from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. The policy was scheduled to be reviewed July 31.

As of July 30, roughly 81 percent of students and 65 percent of employees on the Ann Arbor campus, and 76 percent of Michigan Medicine employees already have reported their COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccination rates are lower for some categories of employees including temporary employees and for employees on the Dearborn and Flint campuses.

Employee vaccination data has been added to the existing vaccination dashboard, which launched earlier this month. The university verifies self-reported information for accuracy and that it meets the additional requirement of being an authorized vaccine. Data is refreshed daily.

The latest national data shows the delta variant appears to cause more frequent breakthrough infections in vaccinated persons. While they rarely become severely ill or require hospitalization, these vaccinated individuals can spread the virus to unvaccinated individuals, including children, or immunocompromised people.

Vaccines are free and available at most retail pharmacies and health care providers, and appointments remain available through Michigan Medicine, as well as the University Health Service.

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UM will require COVID-19 vaccination on all campuses | The University Record - The University Record