Dear Campus Community,
As you are likely aware, local COVID positivity rates have begun to climb over the last few weeks due to the arrival of the BA.2 subvariant. Although on-campus transmission remains low, we continue to closely monitor the situation, including data on positive cases, local wastewater data, hospitalization data, and emerging guidance from national and local public health authorities.
According to CDC Community Level data, our county (Suffolk County) has moved into the “medium” risk category, suggesting that we need to continue our vigilance in protecting ourselves and our community.
Masks offer protection
While our very high vaccination rates provide a strong layer of protection for our community, wearing a mask – especially higher quality masks such as surgical or KN95-style - continues to offer an additional layer of protection.
Please also keep in mind:
- Masks continue to be required on campus shuttles and in health services settings. (While the MBTA has just dropped its mask mandate, for now we will continue to require masks on our shuttles given the upward trend in cases.)
- Masks continue to be required for those who are unvaccinated or unboosted.
- Anyone completing isolation or quarantine should continue to wear masks for the full 10 days, according to existing protocols.
Please note that it may be necessary to re-institute a mask mandate for the entire campus in the near future if the indicators continue to worsen and as per CDC and local health authority recommendations.
Masks and COVID tests are available on campus
We will continue to make antigen tests and masks (surgical and KN95) available at four locations on campus:
- UHS testing clinic (Campus Center, second floor, Alumni Lounge)
- Campus Center Information Desk (Campus Center, Upper Level)
- Human Resources office (Quinn, third floor)
- Office of Environmental Health & Safety (Quinn Service & Supply, Upper Level, 034)
University Health Services also continues to offer COVID-19 PCR testing, free and on-demand, in the Campus Center. Students and employees can schedule an appointment online in My Health Beacon. (If you are symptomatic or believe you were exposed, call 617.287.4355.)
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our students, faculty, and staff for your continued vigilance in keeping our community safe. You can find information about policies, announcements, FAQs, and our dashboard on the UMass Boston COVID-19/Return to Campus website.
Sincerely,
