As a result of the increasing spread and high transmission rate of the Omicron variant, University of Idaho President Scott Green announced in an email Monday evening that the mask mandate will remain in place for the spring semester.
Over the holiday break, which began on Dec. 17, until Monday there have been 86 COVID-19 cases reported in Latah County, according to Public Health – Idaho North Central District. Of those cases, 11 have been listed as recovered while the other 75 remain open and the age group with the largest positivity rate is 18-29.
Beginning on Wednesday, Vault tests will be available again for those who are symptomatic and have a VandalCard. Tests can be picked up at east entrance of the Student Recreation Center between noon and 2 p.m. on weekdays.
“Face coverings can be removed in a shared office workspace where more than six feet of distance can be constantly maintained and within private residential rooms in Housing and Residence Life,” the email stated. “Statewide masking protocols are under the direction of the local executive officer or site manager. Please continue to follow your local guidance.”
According to the email, details about the continuation of the vaccination clinics in Moscow are being finalized and can be found on the Vandal Health Clinic’s COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration website.
“While you may feel as frustrated by the setback of the Omicron variant as we are, we ask for your patience as we work to keep our campus healthy and offer live instruction,” Green stated in the email. “We expect to have more details after our consultations with Idaho Public Health and Gritman Medical Center scheduled for later this week. While it is impossible to guess what will happen next, we will continue to watch, work with our partners and strive to provide the quality education for which we are known.”
Anteia McCollum can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @antxiam5