Category: COVID-19

After more than two years of support, DOH COVID Operations at UF come to an end

As of last Friday, UF faculty and staff will no longer login to the ONE.UF system to report an illness or register for an on-campus COVID test. Moving forward, if you are experiencing symptoms, you are encouraged to visit the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 Response website for guidance as well as testing and vaccine locations, take an at-home test and, if needed, consult with your primary care physician.

UF Scripps scientists to receive $15 million to help fight current and future pandemics

Multiple scientists from UF Scripps Biomedical Research will join a massive federal effort to develop antiviral drugs to treat coronavirus and other viral threats.

UF researchers help develop highly accurate 30-second coronavirus test

UF researchers helped develop a COVID-19 testing device that can detect coronavirus infection in as little as 30 seconds.

UF researchers to study long-term impact of COVID-19 stressors

A team of UF researchers will launch a study to determine the impact COVID-19 stressors have on people’s use of various substances.

Vaccine boosters recommended for those over 50

Certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago are eligible for another mRNA booster.

New COVID test can quickly detect variants

UF researchers have invented a test that can determine within 10-15 minutes whether patients test positive for COVID and, if so, which of the five known variants of concern they have.

UF adopts new masking guidelines

In light of the latest declines in COVID-19 case numbers and new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and our UF Health experts, UF is adjusting its approach for this next phase of the pandemic. 

Starting this week, new signage across campus will indicate masks are welcome and express support for those who wish to continue to wear them for their safety or the safety of others. The university will continue to closely monitor the pandemic and — should the situation change — update its approach and/or introduce measures as needed.

Masks still recommended for now

As you may have heard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently provided updated mask guidance, shifting the focus away from the number of COVID infections to the impact the disease is having on hospitals in communities throughout the country. To better guide the public, the CDC has provided a color-coded system to classify community levels. Based on the CDC’s guidance, Alachua County’s current community level remains in the “high” category.  

Given this guidance, it is still recommended that masks be worn indoors. The university’s medical advisory group will reassess the need to continue to wear masks after observing any impacts resulting from spring break travel.  

Endemic COVID-19 could be one to 10 years away

According to UF Emerging Pathogens Institute biostatistician Ira Longini, Ph.D., COVID-19 may still be with us for a while.

At-home COVID-19 test kits

The State Employees’ Prescription Drug Plan will cover approved over-the-counter COVID-19 tests Jan. 15 through April 16.