As the first week of the new spring semester testing wraps up, we want to thank students and employees for their patience and dedication to this new process. Teams across the university are working hard to get everything ready for the start of class on Jan. 25.
As we move toward the start of the semester, we have received many good questions aboutspring requirementsandhavecompiled them in an extensive set ofFrequently Asked Questions, which you may filter bysix topic areas.
Here are some of this weeks top questions:
Q: Im having trouble getting the app to work. Who do I contact for help?
A:We can help.Please contact theDoITHelp Desk, (608) 264-4357, help@doit.wisc.edu
Q: I took a test and it came back rejected. How can I make sure this doesnt happen?
A: What the lab needs to successfully run your test is the liquid portion of your saliva. Your saliva must be clear and not discolored, free of food and mucus, and cannot contain residues such as those from brushing your teeth or smoking.
In the hour before your test:
You may also want to rinse or gargle your mouth with water to remove any discoloration (such as from coffee) or small pieces of food. Be sure to do this at least one hour before your test.
At your test:
These are the most common reasons saliva samples rejected by the lab:
If you notice any of these things as you are submitting your sample, ask to start over again with a new tube. Its better to redo your test at your scheduled appointment than have to do it over again the next day.
Q. I am having a hard time producing enough saliva for my test. Do you have any tips?
A: In order to run a COVID-19 test on your saliva sample, you will need to contribute 1 mL-1.5 mL of drool.Be careful not to overfill the tube, too. If this happens, its best to ask a member of the test site staff to start again with a new tube.Some tips:
Try starting to pool your drool on your walk or drive to your test, and as you check in, to get the process started.
Q: How long does a saliva test take and when will I get the test results?
A: The testing process should take a few minutes. Results will be available within 24 hours.Resultswill be provided to you on the Safer Badgers app and via themyUHSportal.
Q: What is being done to ensure safety at testing sites?
A: Test sites were evaluated for safety and feasibility by a team including University Health Services; Environment, Health and Safety and Facilities Planning and Management and designed to maintain appropriate physical distancing and low density. Each location is cleaned frequently.
When performed correctly, submitting a saliva sample should not result in creation of aerosols. Sample submission involves drooling into a funnel fitted over a collection tube, so there should be no spitting, forceful throat clearing or other expulsive actions.
We also encourage individuals to wear their face coverings while pooling saliva, in between drooling into the funnel. We ask for patience early on as people adapt to the new approach.
Q: If Ive been vaccinated against COVID-19, do I still need to be tested?
A: While we know that the majority of people who receive the COVID-19 vaccine will have some level of protection against SARS CoV-2, the vaccine efficacy rate is not 100%, which can result in some who are vaccinated contracting and transmitting the virus. Currently, the CDC and WI Department of Health Services recommend that those who receive the vaccine continue to test. The CDC is engaging in research to better define transmission within the population of those who have been vaccinated, but those questions may take six months to a year to answer. Until further research and recommendations by the CDC are available, we are requiring vaccinated individuals to be tested as determined by the campus policies for their population.
Q: Can I take a nasal swab test instead of a saliva-based test?
A: At this time, unless you are a residence hall student or have a medical condition that would interfere with saliva-based testing, you will need to seek on-campus saliva testing.
Q: If I get tested off campus, can I use my results to obtain building access?
A: No, on-campus testing is required for building access.
Q: Does the Safer Badgers app track my location?
A: No, the app does not utilize GPS or geolocation to track your location.
During the setup phase of the app, users will self-select if they wish to use the low energy Bluetooth proximity notification feature. Users can turn this feature off at any time.
Location services are only used for the low energy Bluetooth proximity notification feature of Safer Badgers, to tell you when youve been in proximity to someone who has tested positive. All data is anonymous, meaning as a COVID-19 positive individual, you will not know who is receiving proximity notifications, and as a receiver of a proximity notification you will not know who the notification came from.
See more here:
Answers to this week's top COVID-19/Safer Badgers questions - University of Wisconsin-Madison
ELKINS, W.Va. Free COVID-19 testing is still being offered in Randolph County.
Firefighters and advanced EMTs have been asked to help administer the tests since the National Guard, and other medical personnel has been focusing on administering the Covid vaccine.
Well here today in Elkins they dont have to have symptoms to get a test and thats really good, explained Moriyah Cox with the Mount Hope Fire Department explained. Because if you go to other areas you have to have symptoms and you have to have a scheduled appointment. So, to be able to get the test for free here today, that is really something people should take advantage of, even if you dont have symptoms you could actually have the virus right now.
The county health department had two drive-through sites set up in Elkins and in Mill Creek. More information about testing around the state can be found on the DHHRs website by clicking here.
Read more here:
Firefighters and EMTs help with free COVID-19 testing in Randolph County - WBOY.com
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter announced on Jan. 4, that he had tested positive for coronavirus. Today, at the Calcasieu COVID-19 briefing, he detailed his experience with the virus, local medical officials and what the community can do going forward.
Read the original here:
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Finding all the correct, viable information about COVID-19 can be confusing even in the best of times. Thats why access to important information such as the COVID-19 vaccine should be made as clear as possible, and so we have created this list. In it we will hopefully guide you on how to navigate the VDH website, along with phone numbers, should there be any user trouble.
Continue reading here:
Navigating the VDH website for information on COVID-19 - WWBT NBC12 News
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and NewYork-Presbyterian today announced the launch of a new COVID-19 vaccination site for New Yorkers at the Fort Washington Armory in Washington Heights. The site, located at 216 Fort Washington Avenue at the corner of 169thStreet, was made possible through the additional partnership of Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Irving Medical Center and is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals over the age of 65 with scheduled appointments only beginning January 14.
New York State's vaccine supply is limited by the federal government. Based on federal guidelines that the state is following more than 7 million New Yorkers are now eligible for the COVID vaccine, but the state only receives approximately 300,000 doses per week from the federal government. As such, the number of available appointments each day will vary based on supply not only at the Fort Washington Armory site, but across the state as well.
"The COVID pandemic has highlighted pre-existing inequity in our society and our healthcare system and as we fight against this virus, we also have to fight back against those forces of inequality,"Governor Cuomo said."NewYork-Presbyterian was one of the most effective hospitals in the early days of our vaccination program, and now we are partnering with them and our Vaccine Equity Task Force to expand their efforts into the community.With partnerships like this, we are making sure New Yorkers of color aren't left behind."
Dr. Steven J. Corwin, President and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian said,"COVID-19 has taken a tragic toll on our communities. Now, after nearly a year on the front lines, we are finally taking the fight to this deadly virus. We are proud to be working with Governor Cuomo and the State to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as possible and begin to restore the health and vitality of the city we all love."
To make an appointment at the Fort Washington Armory site,NewYork-Presbyterian patients aged 65 and older can use theColumbiaDoctors, Weill Cornell Medicine, andNewYork-PresbyterianConnect online patient portal. Patients who do not have a Connect account and people over age 65 who are notColumbiaDoctors, Weill Cornell Medicine, andNewYork-Presbyterian patients can set up an account by visitingVaccineTogetherNY.org.
The Armory is wheelchair accessible and meets ADA accessibility standards. Additionally, the site is staffed by medical staff who speak both Spanish and English. New Yorkers over the age of 65 who have scheduled appointments can access the site via the A and C trains. The train stop for the A and C trains is Broadway and 168th Street.
The establishment of the Fort Washington Armory Vaccination site further builds on the expanded network of vaccination sites established by Governor Cuomo to accelerate the vaccination rate of priority health care workers and begin the vaccination of newly eligible New Yorkers. New York has already opened four state-run vaccination sites atthe Jacob K.JavitsCenter, Westchester County Center, New York State Fair Expo Centerand Jones Beach, with an additional site at SUNY Albany scheduled to open Friday, January 15 at 8 a.m. 15 additional sites are also scheduled to begin operations in the coming days.
Additionally, this site furthers Governor Cuomo's goal of ensuring the fair and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. In late 2020, the Governor announced the launch ofNew York's Vaccine Equity Task Forcechaired by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Attorney General Letitia James, National Urban League President & CEO Marc Morial, and Healthfirst President & CEO Pat Wang. Since its establishment, the Task Force has continued work to ensure vulnerable and underserved communities are not left behind by breaking down the barriers to vaccination and ensuring there is equitable distribution of the vaccine across the state.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat said,"It's critical that we make sure the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all New Yorkers, not just those who have better access to health care institutions, and that's why this large-scale vaccination site in Washington Heights is a step in the right direction. I thank Governor Cuomo and NewYork-Presbyterian for their efforts to expand access to the vaccine in our community. This new site will help ensure that vaccine distribution is not just timely, but equitable as well."
Secretary of State and Chair of New York's Vaccine Equity Task Force Rossana Rosado said,"Underserved communities were, and continue to be, hit the hardest during the pandemic. As co-chair of Governor Cuomo's NYS Vaccine Equity Taskforce, weareaddressing this issue head on and are working to reduce barriers and ensure equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccination site at NY Presbyterian ispart of our regional vaccine network that willhelpprovide every New Yorkerwith equal access to the vaccine."
Senator Robert Jackson said, "I am so grateful to NewYork-Presbyterian and NYS Department of Health's combined efforts to expand vaccine clinics to Northern Manhattan. We had zero vaccine sites for far too long, even though the highest rates for infections in the borough have long been in Inwood and Washington Heights. My constituents will now have the opportunity to get the vaccine we all need during this pandemic thanks to their efforts. I look forward to continuing working with the Governor's office building capacity to meet the needs of our community."
Assembly Member Al Taylor said, "COVID-19 hit Harlem and Washington Heights hardest in Manhattan and it is critical our community has access to the COVID vaccine. This large-scale vaccination site is a great start towards ensuring the distribution is equitable for the residents of Northern Manhattan. I thank Governor Cuomo and NewYork-Presbyterian for taking this step in ensuring the vaccine is distributed timely and accessibly. I will continue to work alongside my partners in Government to ensure our residents continue to have access to this much needed vaccine."
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez said,"Northern Manhattan has some the highest rates of COVID-19 in the borough of Manhattan. I am proud to know that the Armory located in the heart of Washington Heights will be turned into a vaccination site. I thank Governor Cuomo and New York Presbyterian for their help in turning the Armory into a vaccination site. I hope that this is the first of many vaccination sites that we will see open in Northern Manhattan. We are at the home stretch, all New Yorkers must continue doing their part by wearing their masks and staying social distant. We will be working with other partners to ensure that appointments can be made over the phone and in various languages and that we prioritize the underserved communities that were devastated by COVID-19. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues at the City, State, and Federal level to ensure we're keeping all New Yorkers safe."
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The chalk is writing a predicable script through two rounds of the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Webb Simpson, a pre-tournament favorite and a winner of two events last season, birdied his final three holes Friday to fire his second consecutive 5-under-par 65 to move into a share of the lead midway through the second round of the Sony Open at windless Waialae Country Club.
Six hours later, Simpson stood two shots out of the lead set by pace-setter Nick Taylor.
But Simpsons in a much better place than he was around Christmas.
The world No. 8, who tied for 17th in last weeks year-opening Sentry Tournament of Champions, is back at full strength after contracting COVID-19 and tested positive on Dec. 28. He lost his sense of taste and smell but is back playing great golf. The 2018 Players champion and 2012 U.S. Open victor has 12 birdies and two bogeys through 36 holes.
Today wasnt quite as sharp as yesterday, said Simpson, who finished third and in a tie for fourth in his last two starts in the Sony. Hit a ball in the water on 2. Didnt hit quite as many fairways but managed really well. I think staying present this week has allowed me to kind of get through these frustrating moments.
Sony Open in Hawaii:Photo gallery|Leaderboard | Tee times, TV info
I birdied the last two holes yesterday and today I birdied the last three. I think being patient on this golf course is paying off for me. Its one of those days where calm winds, you feel like you need to go shoot 7-, 8-, 9-under, and I was a couple under for a while there. So really happy with my finish and I thought if I can get it to double digits, I would be at least close to the lead going into Saturday.
Simpson, who has 11 top-20 finishes in his last 14 starts, said earlier this week hes as confident about his game as he ever has been. And it doesnt hurt when youre playing alongside Collin Morikawa and Marc Leishman, who each shot 65.
I think seeing good shots before you hit always kind of helps to frame the shot well and then seeing putts go in, you realize, OK, the holes are big enough for these balls to fit in, Simpson said. I love playing with those two guys. Ive played a lot of golf with them. Collin made a lot of putts. Mark made a lot of putts. I made a lot of putts. Thats always nice knowing you dont have to force birdies, but you put it in the right spot, youre probably going to make some.
Taylors 62 was the low round of the day and moved him to 12 under and two shots clear of the field. Joining Simpson at 10 under was Russell Henley (64), Vaughn Taylor (66), Chris Kirk (65), and Stewart Cink, who continued his resurgence with a 63.
Eight players are at 9 under, including reigning PGA champion Morikawa (65), Leishman (65), Hideki Matsuyama, who was 7 under on his last seven holes to shoot 65, and Joaquin Niemann (69), who lost in a playoff last week in the Tournament of Champions.
Cink won the season-opening Safeway Open for his first title since his playoff victory against Tom Watson in the 2009 Open Championship. He also finished in the top 12 two other times in the fall and has finished in the top 20 in his last six starts in the Sony Open.
Today was a dream day for playing here at Waialae. It was almost no wind, Cink said. There was a little bit of moisture on the ground from last night, and it was just a day where you could really dial it in. You could really hit your spots instead of having to do the usual here which is trying to figure out how much wind is going to help or hurt the ball and crosswinds and all that.
Today there was nothing out there.
More here:
With COVID-19 behind him, Webb Simpson back at full strength, shares Sony Open lead - usatoday.com
Vismita Gupta-Smith
We hear a lot about the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 nowadays. Hello and welcome to Science in 5. Im Vismita Gupta-Smith and this is WHOs conversations in science. Today, were talking to Dr. Peter Ben Embarek about the origins of the virus. Welcome, Peter.
Dr. Peter Ben Embarek
Thank you.
Vismita Gupta-Smith
Peter, why is it important for the public and the scientists to know about the origins of this virus?
Dr. Peter Ben Embarek
It's important to understand the origin of the virus for three key reasons. One is if we find the source and if it's still out there, we can prevent future reintroduction of the same virus into the human population. The second reason is that if we understand how this one jumped from bats origin into humans, we can perhaps prevent similar events in the future. So, to prevent future similar pandemics. And the third reason is that if we can find the virus, what it looked like before it jumped to the human population, we could potentially be in a better position to develop more efficient treatments and vaccines for this disease.
Vismita Gupta-Smith
Peter, you're leading the mission that will be studying the origins of this virus. Tell us about this mission and the people in it.
Dr. Peter Ben Embarek
We have put together a team of 10 international experts. And, this group will travel to Wuhan in the coming days and spend probably about a month there working in close collaboration with Chinese counterparts. The team includes experts in different fields that are necessary to help us understand the origin of the virus. There will be veterinarians, there will be medical doctors, there will be epidemiologists, there will be virologists, who are experts in these viruses. There'll be experts in these type of diseases that originate in animals and jump to humans. And all together, we will work together with Chinese counterparts on different studies, that hopefully will help us better understand this virus. We will start with two weeks in a hotel in quarantine where we won't be able to leave our rooms. We will all have our own rooms and stay there for two weeks but we will still be able to work from day one remotely. And then after the two weeks of quarantine, we will be able to move around and have face-to-face meetings and visit the different sites and areas that we would like to see as part of our studies.
Vismita Gupta-Smith
Peter, we see on social media, a lot of definitive claims that this virus originated in the laboratories.
Tell us, how do scientists look at this question and how should the public be looking at this question?
Dr. Peter Ben Embarek
We have now the tools that allow us to look at the genetic makeup of these viruses. And when we look at our virus, the COVID-19 virus, there is nothing in its makeup that would indicate that it has been manufactured. It's clearly a natural virus and there are many of these around, we have seen several of them in the past. So, in itself it's not a surprise. Laboratory accidents happen unfortunately once in a while. It has happened many times in the past. And of course, it's even a remote possibility. We have to look at this as a possibility. So, we will of course also look at that hypothesis among many others, even if it's an unlikely one. There is no evidence so far indicating that anybody was working with this virus in the past. There is no evidence to indicate that it would have escaped a laboratory in any way, but of course we will have that in mind when we look at the origin of this virus.
Vismita Gupta-Smith
That was Dr. Peter Ben Embarek explaining how science will be looking for the origins of this virus.
For more on this, tune into our social media channels and be the source of trusted, science-based information. Until next time then. Stay safe, stay healthy and stick with science.
Read more:
Episode #21 - COVID-19 - Origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus - World Health Organization
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) -- As Siouxlanders continue to get the COVID-19 vaccine, many are hopeful that the days of mask wearing, and social distancing, will soon be behind us.
But, local health officials warn that even after someone receives the first of two vaccine doses or, even after the second vaccine dose, COVID-19 could still be a threat.
Doctor Larry Volz, with MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center, says the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine offers some protection to those who receive it.
He says patients can still get the virus after the first dose.
But, he says, they will experience less severe symptoms if they contract COVID-19.
That's why health officials say it's important to follow through with the second of the two dose vaccine protocol.
Volz says after that second vaccine dose, a patient is far more protected from the virus.
"The vaccine really protects you from getting sick. We don't know yet that it prevents you from spreading the virus. So you may have contracted the virus and have it in you, you're able to spread it, but you are not developing any symptoms related to that. We don't have the answer as to whether that stops you from spreading it," said Dr. Volz.
Volz says whether you've received the vaccine, or not, it's important to continue to wear a mask and social distance so you protect others.
See more here:
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A military couple from the Three Rivers section of Palmer celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in a most appropriate manner, receiving their COVID-19 vaccination shots together.
Army veterans Marjorie and Michael Cavanaugh of Three Rivers, who joined the Army nearly 70 years ago, were delighted to receive the vaccine together Friday. The great grandparents are among the many veterans whove been getting their shots at the Veterans Administration Clinic in Springfield.
And theyre not alone.
Were absolutely excited, Kimberly May of the VA clinic told 22News. Weve already vaccinated our 889 employees interested in taking the vaccine for the first time. We will be starting their second vaccination next week. Veterans just started this past week and we almost have almost 1,000 of them done.
The Cavanaughs are proud to be among the many veterans served by the VA outpatient clinic to be vaccinated. Proud of their service to their country and to each other.
22News wishes them both a very happy 66th wedding anniversary!
See the article here:
Palmer couple celebrates 66th wedding anniversary by getting COVID-19 vaccine - WWLP.com
