JMU Health Update - Feb. 4

Dear JMU Family,

Update on Cases
The university observed 3 new positive cases of COVID-19 at the Health Center yesterday, putting the total number of active cases at 39. The number of open quarantine and isolation beds is 385 out of 391. More information can be found on the university’s Stop the Spread dashboard.

Social Bubbles
We’re pleased that our number of positive cases is low at this time. Let’s be diligent so we can keep it that way. The first two to three weeks of the semester are critical, so please stay in your social bubbles and avoid large gatherings. And, of course, wear a mask!

Surveillance Testing
An invitation for the first surveillance testing clinic of the semester will go out to selected students by the end of today. Students living on campus should look for an email from vpstudentaffairs@jmu.edu. Surveillance testing will be conducted on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Feb. 9. If invited, it is important to respond, sign up and attend your appointment. Failure to do so may result in a hold on your account. Please see these surveillance testing FAQs for more information.

Update on Vaccinations
With so many questions looming surrounding COVID vaccinations, your patience is greatly appreciated. While the university serves as a partner to the Virginia Department of Health in hosting and supporting the vaccination clinics, VDH continues to be the primary point of contact for scheduling and administering the vaccine. A few critical points of information for you to be aware of are as follows:

• Please only click on a link to schedule your vaccination if you received an email directly from VDH or a VDH employee. Do not click on a link that has been forwarded from a family member, friend or colleague.
• The “from” section of the email should say “Vaccination Clinic” or the sender should have “@vdh.virginia.gov” in their email address.
• Registering through an email that has been forwarded to you can result in appointment cancelations for all parties.

Please continue to visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/ for details and to determine when you are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Stop the Spread HELPline
If students and their families have questions and can’t readily find the answers in our FAQs, call the Stop the Spread HELPline, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The toll-free number is 888-886-3131. And don’t forget, many of your questions can be answered here. Call center agents also will be answering questions sent to covid19@jmu.edu, and you can submit questions via a form on the Stop the Spread site. Please note, the HELPline is not for reporting noncompliance with health guidance and the Stop the Spread Agreement signed by all students. Please use the LiveSafe app, which goes directly to the JMU Public Safety dispatch.

Stay safe and download the COVIDWISE app!