Cases of COVID-19 at the University of Georgia remained very low for the second consecutive week. Only 18 cases were reported last week—16 students and two staff members. No faculty cases were reported.
Surveillance testing declined again from the prior week, with a total of 393 tests administered at the Legion Field surveillance site and in a satellite location. The positivity rate was 1.53 percent.
As of Sunday, May 2, the University Health Center has administered 19,682 vaccines, with 9,910 members of the UGA community being fully vaccinated. Many members of the UGA community have received their vaccines at other locations, improving overall progress toward herd immunity. All faculty, staff and students over the age of 16 are now eligible to be vaccinated, and the UHC can accommodate up to 1,000 vaccines per day.
“As we approach the end of the academic year, I want to take this opportunity to urge all members of our campus community to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Garth Russo, executive director of the University Health Center and chair of UGA’s Medical Oversight Task Force. “We have plenty of vaccines to handle demand at the Health Center, and we will be happy to provide any second doses that are needed, even if those appointments fall after graduation for our seniors. I also urge everyone to remain diligent in best practices like being tested, continuing to wear our masks and maintaining social distancing.”
The University reports test results on a weekly basis each Wednesday on the University Health Center website: https://uhs.uga.edu/healthtopics/covid-19-health-and-exposure-updates. The UHC website also now includes a Vaccine Dashboard that reports the total amount of vaccine received and administered through the previous week, as well as the number of vaccines given by the UHC within the prior week.
The University Health Center and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories are also meeting daily demand for testing with saliva-based testing that is free to faculty, staff and students.
The University is maintaining a stock of nearly 450 rooms to accommodate isolation and quarantine housing, as needed. At present, one room is in use.
The University of Georgia community consists of nearly 50,000 students, faculty and staff.
