“Since July 1st, Baylor’s campus has had nine positives out of 48 tests,” Stern said. “And in the last month alone, we have had seven positives out of 29 tests, which is almost a 25% positivity rate.”
Browsing: COVID-19
While the beginning of the fall semester normally brings cases of strep, flu, stomach viruses and colds, there are precautions students can take to stay healthy as school starts again, according to Dr. Sharon Stern, Baylor University Health Services medical director.
The last time the class of 2024 readied for a graduation, COVID-19 forced them to change their plans. Now, seniors take with them firsthand experience of Baylor’s pandemic response.
McLennan County is facing an upsurge of COVID-19 cases this year, alongside the viruses and respiratory infections that often come with the beginning of a semester, Baylor medical director Dr. Sharon Stern said.
As of Jan. 11, COVID-19 shows a decreasing trend in cases and an increasing trend in deaths, seasonal influenza activity remains high but declines in most areas and RSV continues to affect younger children and older adults, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With flu season underway, Dr. Sharon Stern, medical director at the Baylor Health Center, shared what students, faculty and staff should know about this semester’s outbreak.
After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced its new COVID-19 guidelines, Baylor has updated its recommendations for students, staff and faculty who may have tested positive or been exposed to the virus.
The Food and Drug Administration has now authorized a second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for adults over 50 years old and immunocompromised individuals at least four months after their last dose was administered.
According to clinical associate professor Dr. Benjamin Ryan, in terms of the endemic phase, the virus is in a more steady state. He said the spread of the omicron variant was a step toward the pandemic becoming an endemic.
With spring break on the horizon, the first week of March is looking to be a big travel year for students. Now, Baylor students are sharing their thoughts on the safety of travel during spring break.
Student reactions are mixed regarding Baylor’s decision to lift the campus-wide policy requiring face masks to be worn inside of classrooms and labs during instruction. Some students said they were excited to return to a sense of normalcy, while others said they were concerned about the possibility of COVID-19 continuing to spread.
As of Feb. 21, students, staff and faculty will no longer be required to wear masks inside of labs and classrooms.
At Baylor, as of Tuesday, in the last seven days, there have been eight cases with a total of 223 tests taken. This shows a positivity rate of 4.5%.
Students who tested positive for COVID-19 after returning to campus for the spring semester experienced Baylor’s new isolation policies and locations.
As of Monday, unvaccinated students, staff and faculty will no longer be required to test on a weekly basis.
As staff and students return to campus following a long winter break, concerns have been raised by parents, staff and students about the surge of COVID-19 cases across the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the infection rate among unvaccinated individuals is five times the infection rate among fully-vaccinated individuals.
Baylor University is implementing new COVID-19 protocols including required masks in classrooms and additional weekly testing for unvaccinated individuals.
Baylor plans for a “normal” semester as vaccination efforts increase.
As the CDC moved the social distancing requirement for K-12 schools from six feet to three feet, Waco ISD has decided to maintain 6-foot distancing to finish out the school year.
The City of Waco is preparing to open up more places in three different phases, allowing for more activities and events to happen. While including continued safety measures and increased occupancy in some places, this new plan is getting students excited for normalcy.
Baylor students have been experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19.
All 16 and older will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine Monday in the state of Texas.
Students discuss their hesitancy and doubts about getting a COVID-19 vaccines.
Baylor accommodated students with no standardized test scores for both the admissions cycle and scholarship events for the incoming class of 2025.
It has been just slightly over one year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Students reflect on what this year has meant to them.
With a lack of spring break this year due to COVID-19, students are finding their own ways to take a vacation.
Baylor received 500 doses of the Janssen Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Tuesday morning. Students, faculty and staff on the Baylor waiting list were able to make an appointment this week.
After passing in the Senate on Saturday, Biden’s COVID-19 stimulus bill, known as the American Rescue Plan, is headed to the House for a final vote. The bill expands the eligibility for stimulus checks to adult dependents, including college students.
In the school year of COVID-19, Baylor University Community Leaders’ roles have shifted in order to follow guidelines while still building community with their residents.