Weekly Update: May 6, 2022

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2022) — University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto sent the message below to the campus community today.

Key Takeaways

• Beginning tomorrow, COVID-19 testing will be available at the community testing site at College Way, Employee Health and University Health Service. It will no longer be offered at the Gatton Student Center.
• UK Health Corps remains operational and available to support the community’s health and safety.
• Community members should sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster if they have not already.

Campus Community,

Today and tomorrow, our community will gather to celebrate the class of 2022. The UK Commencement Ceremonies are a testament to the compassion and commitment I see every day across our campus.

These celebrations reflect our most profound promise: to prepare the next generation of scholars, workers, thinkers and builders.

Because of your efforts, we have prepared our students not just to build careers, but to build a life as well. I’m deeply grateful to our students, faculty and staff for the work that makes these ceremonies possible. In that sense, over the next two days, we celebrate you as well. I hope these updates have been helpful this semester. They have represented another way we’ve committed to keeping our community informed and updated. We will resume these updates when the 2022-23 academic year begins in August.

Please take note of the following important reminders:

COVID-19 Policy Updates Testing

• As of May 7, the university will transition several elements of our COVID-19 operations. COVID-19 testing will no longer be offered in the Gatton Student Center. Individuals who wish to schedule a test may do so at the community testing center at College Way, Employee Health or University Health Service.

Public Transportation

• As announced last week, masks are no longer required for passengers or employees onboard the Blue, White, Yellow, Green and Orange route buses as well as those utilizing Kentucky Wildcab and Paratransit on-demand services. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that passengers continue to wear facial coverings, but they are now optional while riding the buses and while waiting in line at bus shelters. Please note that masks continue to be required on all UK HealthCare patient/visitor shuttles. Lextran has also updated its masking policy affecting all city transit routes. While recommended, masks are no longer required on Lextran buses. Please note that this policy may be modified in accordance with federal orders or requirements, or at the direction of campus health officials.

COVID-19 Dashboard

• Throughout the pandemic, we have committed to publishing our COVID-19 data transparently through our dashboard. This resource has been incredibly important during previous surges of COVID-19. As the university no longer mandates testing and as disclosing vaccination information has always been optional, we will remove the data dashboard from the COVID-19 website.
• As we begin to prepare for the fall semester, we will create – and post – COVID-19 health guidance. We will publicize that site along with other general health guidance and information in the coming weeks.

UK Health Corps

UK Health Corps remains operational and available to support our community’s health and safety needs. Students and employees should continue to use the self-report tool to receive timely support from UK Health Corps. If circumstances or recommendations shift, they are prepared to respond appropriately. As you have throughout the pandemic, do not hesitate to reach out to them with questions about the resources available to you.

COVID-19 Boosters Please remember that you are best protected when you stay up to date with all vaccinations, including, of course, the COVID-19 vaccine. Per the CDC, “COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized and even dying — especially people who have received a booster.”   The CDC recommends COVID-19 boosters for individuals aged 12 years and older. Some individuals are eligible for a second booster (fourth dose). If you haven’t already, please sign up for your vaccine or booster as soon as possible.

Schedule your vaccine or booster.   Thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, for our community.   Eli Capilouto President