University of Michigan: ‘Noticeable uptick’ of COVID cases on Ann Arbor campus
University of Michigan asks students to test for COVID-19 before going home for holidaysANN ARBOR – Cases of COVID-19 are trending upward again at the University of Michigan. In an update on Tuesday, U-M officials reported a “noticeable uptick in COVID-19 cases among U-M affiliates, including undergraduate students, graduate students and non-students.”School officials noted that the trend is in line with a general increase of cases in Washtenaw County. Students at the university now account for 15% of the total cases in the county. The number of positive cases more than doubled last week with 157 positive tests compared to 60 the week prior. A total of 26 students are currently in isolation to prevent the spread of COVID, compared to March 24 when 8 students were in quarantine.
Novi principal writes blog to address rumors about teachers winning $1 billion Mega Millions lottery
A winning ticket of the $1 billion Mega Millions lottery was sold at Kroger in Novi recently. Rumors quickly started circulating that a group of teachers in the Novi Community School District won the prize. To address the circulating rumors Ascher penned a blog post titled, “I won the lottery.”As of Monday afternoon the blog post had more than 8,000 views. In the blog post Ascher says he “won the lottery” through family and friends. More: $1 billion Mega Millions winning ticket sold at Novi Kroger“Everyone showed up for work today which was really good...
U-M Winter Term changes include mandatory weekly COVID testing of on-campus undergrads
The revised plan includes increased COVID-19 testing capacity, including mandatory testing for all students prior moving into university residence halls and mandatory weekly testing for undergraduate students who live, study or work on campus. The expanded testing plan includes weekly asymptomatic testing for the remaining students, faculty and staff on campus. For those quarantining off campus, testing will be expanded, and departure testing will still be required for undergraduates returning home, as was the case for the Thanksgiving holiday. While mandatory for undergraduates, departure testing is recommended for all other students. In addition to a reduction of in-person classes, density in U-M residence halls will be reduced by more than half.
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History reopens to students, faculty, staff
If you work or study at the University of Michigan and are a valid Mcard holder then you’re in luck. The U-M Museum of Natural History just reopened to students, faculty and staff with special hours on Fridays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Swipe your valid Mcard at the host desk. Wear a face mask anywhere on the University of Michigan campus including indoors and outside. The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is in the Biological Sciences Building at 1105 N. University Ave.✉ Like what you’re reading?
University of Michigan awards staff three extra paid days off around holidays
ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan faculty and staff have something more to smile about this week. In an email to eligible faculty and staff on Wednesday, provost Susan Collins, chief financial officer Kevin Hegarty and associate vice president for human resources Richard Holcomb announced an additional three paid vacation days around the holidays. “This additional paid time off is one small way to recognize and express gratitude to our faculty and staff.”The additional days off are Nov. 25 and Dec. 23-24. Regular faculty and staff eligible for season days on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses will receive the additional time off. University Human Resources will work with unions to see if there are applicable season days that can be used for these bargaining units.
Eastern Michigan University extends winter break to prevent COVID-19 spread
YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University has announced two revisions to its academic calendar for the Winter 2021 semester to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This move extends the winter break between semesters, which begins on Dec. 24. There will be no winter break in 2021; the University will hold classes that week. EMU has already taken measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus, including delaying student move-in to dorms and increasing the number of online classes this fall. Nearby in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan issued an emergency two-week stay-in-place order for all undergraduate students due to a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases.
Kamala Harris suspends travel after staffer tests COVID-19 positive
Joe Biden’s presidential campaign said Thursday that vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will suspend in-person events until Monday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for coronavirus. The campaign said Biden had no exposure, though he and Harris spent several hours campaigning together in Arizona on Oct. 8. Harris was scheduled to travel Thursday to North Carolina for events encouraging voters to cast early ballots. The campaign told reporters Thursday morning that Harris' communications director and a traveling staff member for her travel to Arizona tested positive after that Oct. 8 trip. Harris and Biden spent several hours together that day through multiple campaign stops, private meetings and a joint appearance in front of reporters at an airport.
U-M police: Bicycle theft increasing in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety & Security has reported a rise in bicycle theft on campus since the end of August. While investigations into several thefts are ongoing, DPSS released this list of precautions bike owners can take moving forward:Register your bicycle . Registering your bike (or personal electronics such as a laptop) with DPSS can help deter theft and assist in the recovery of stolen property. Report suspicious behavior near campus bike racks by contacting DPSS at (734) 763-1131 or 911. For more information, visit DPSS' Bicycle Safety and Security page.
U-M to ramp up asymptomatic, saliva-based COVID-19 testing in October
ANN ARBOR – October will mark a new phase in testing on University of Michigan’s campus as the school works to keep outbreaks of COVID-19 at bay. The university has partnered with local startup LynxDx for saliva-based ‘surveillance testing.' Up to 6,000 tests are set to be conducted per week on asymptomatic individuals as part of the U-M COVID-19 Community Sampling and Tracking Program. LynxDx, a prostate cancer diagnostics lab spinoff founded by U-M professors and scientists, pivoted its work to address the global coronavirus pandemic. “Please sign up for this free COVID-19 testing program,” U-M President Mark Schlissel implored during his weekly campus community update on Sept. 18.
Warren educators call for remote learning to start school year
WARREN, Mich. The Warren Education Association represents over 860 educators in Warren Schools and they are looking out for the teachers, by demanding the students in Warren should stay home for the upcoming school year. READ: Heres what Michigan school districts have planned for the fall amid the pandemicI think theyre doing their job protecting the teachers, said Erin Taylor-Czerniak. Erin Taylor-Czerniak has a four year old who is supposed to be starting Pre-K, in Warren, but now shes not sure. I dont expect to send her back to school personally, until Phase 6 and thats only if its based on good data and good judgement.Her views match the Warren Education Association. The organization released a letter to Warren Schools, making sure their concerns are heard and clear.
Warren Consolidated summer school employee tests positive for COVID-19
WARREN, Mich. A staff member working in Warren Consolidated Schools districts summer school program has tested positive for COVID-19, district officials say. The letter also says the Macomb County Health Department has been notified of the confirmed case and working with the district to provide guidance. Any student or staff member who shows symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19 should notify Jodi Duplay, the school districts pandemic manager, at 586-698-4564 or jduplay@wcskids.net. For testing locations in Macomb County, visit www.macombgov.org/covid19-canigettested. Specific medical questions and concerns can call the Macomb County Health Department COVID Hotline at 586-463-3750.