Early Bird

The latest on Covid-19 and campus operations

New hospitalization statistics, booster-shot access expanded and more.

December 16, 2021

Dear Roadrunners,

I am pleased to announce that the Health Center at Auraria is now administering Pfizer booster shots to anyone age 16 or older with parental consent.

If you need a booster shot or if you have not yet been vaccinated, schedule your appointment today.

As the virus has more opportunity to mutate within people who are not vaccinated, getting vaccinated and/or boosted is the best way to keep yourself, your loved ones and our larger community safe.

Regardless of your vaccination status, MSU Denver continues to require masking indoors, and all Roadrunners must cover their nose and mouth with masks when they are not actively eating or drinking.

Hospitalization data

Yesterday, the Denver Post provided an excellent snapshot of Colorado’s Covid-19 data. To pull a few highlights:

• 84% of patients who are hospitalized for Covid-19 in Colorado are unvaccinated.
• Colorado cases and hospitalizations are decreasing, but the danger to unvaccinated people is high.
• Hospitals are admitting approximately 130 people per day with Covid-19; in August, that number was approximately 15.
• 50% of hospitals report they will be short-staffed in the next week, and 36% expect a shortage of beds in intensive-care units.

Covid-19 Dashboard data

As of Monday:

• 99% of MSU Denver employees and 91% of on-campus students were fully vaccinated.
• The University’s weekly positive-test rate was 1.88%, compared with the City and County of Denver rate of 7.8%.

Stay home when sick and have a safe and healthy break

While many of us are in a sprint to finish important projects and tasks before the winter break, do not forget to complete your Daily Health Assessment, and avoid coming to campus if you have any symptoms associated with Covid-19. As supervisors and colleagues, we must be role models by staying home when sick and supporting others to do so.

Additionally, as you attend seasonal gatherings and celebrations, continue to use your best health and safety judgment to avoid the spread of Covid-19 as well as the cold and flu.

• Adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s travel guidelines for U.S. citizens as well as State of Colorado health, safety and travel guidance.
• Consider getting tested before you travel to avoid potential spread of Covid-19.
• Continue to wear masks in situations where virus spread is more likely.
• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
• If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t travel to, host or attend a gathering.
• Consider purchasing home testing kits for Covid-19 or request two free testing kits from the State of Colorado.

Sincerely,

Larry Sampler, vice president for Administration