The report from UF biostatisticians predicted the peak would take place over the first three weeks of Fall classes at UF — projecting to reach 33,000 reported cases per day and 220,000 per week in Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to bar mask mandates in the city could negatively impact Gainesville’s ability to mitigate infections, Hayes-Santos said
Fall classes will take place in person for the start of the semester despite a university-wide email announcing potential online classes for the first three weeks.
Tuesday’s meeting follows the school board's unanimous vote to require masking for at least the first two weeks of school; meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order allows parents to choose whether their children wear masks to school.
“It’s not a mask mandate,” UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said. “It’s expected, not required.”
UF is unable to disclose data supporting its estimation on student vaccination rates — unions urge answers.
The CDC is recommending some vaccinated people to wear masks again to maximize protection and prevent spreading the Delta variant. As of Tuesday, UF did not provide comment on whether the university will be following the updated guidelines nor respond to questions regarding updates on its masking policies.
The number of COVID-19 patients soared from 14 to 70 patients, and over 10% of the patients are on ventilators. Despite the common belief that the virus is more impactful among the elderly population, the recent COVID-19 patients coming into Shands are younger.
Even as COVID-19 cases surged across Florida, UF’s low case numbers held unwaveringly. Although Florida accounts for about 7% of the U.S. population, it contributed almost 20% of COVID-19 cases nationally over the last seven days, according to the Miami Herald. Meanwhile, UF maintained low positivity rates with three reported positive cases out of 262 tests from July 5 to July 11.
A UF Health Screen, Test and Protect email sent Thursday morning warned students of COVID-19 found in the wastewater around a residence hall or Greek house. The email was sent along with a text alert to students living near Mallory Hall, informing them of traces of COVID-19 detected in the area’s wastewater. The hall is near Sorority Row next to Yulee, Reid and Cypress Hall.
Almost 6,000 international students from 140 countries, more than half of them graduate students, attended UF in Fall 2020, according to the UF International Center. Students witnessed inequality, civil unrest and vaccine shortages while in their home countries. Others read about their country’s pandemic in the news and listened to their loved ones overseas.
UF reported seven positive cases out of 532 tests from June 28 to July 4, compared to four positive cases out of 309 tests from June 21 to June 27.
Breaking over a week-long streak of all negative cases, UF reported four positive cases out of 309 tests from June 21 to June 27.
Thirty-seven students and 17 employees are quarantined or in isolation as of Tuesday. The numbers decreased by eight students and two employees since June 15.
After achieving a 0% positivity rate during the last week of May, UF maintained between a 0% and 1% seven-day positivity rate average from June 1 to 7.
UF saw a 0% positivity rate Friday with only two positive COVID-19 cases out of 691 tests conducted within seven days.
The number of daily tests performed at UF also decreased. Testing rates dropped 30% from a daily average of 174 tests during the second week of May to 121 tests during the third.
As of Tuesday evening, there were six active student cases and one active staff case. Active cases reflect ACPS students and staff who tested positive in the past 10 days.
UF announced May 17 that face coverings are no longer required on UF property, as all operations prepare to transition to pre-pandemic norms. The updated policies were announced through an university-wide email, which also announced that classroom, recreational and athletic activity will return to full capacity.
As of Tuesday, 107 UF students and 33 UF employees are currently quarantined or in isolation.
Solutions by The State News
