Public health update: April 19, 2022

Dear OHIO community members,

Although COVID-19 case counts remain relatively low across Ohio, new cases have been trending up statewide over the past two weeks. Last week we saw a noticeable increase – more than double the previous week – in cases on Ohio University campuses, and we continue to see elevated virus levels in wastewater on the Athens campus

Some of the spread at OHIO is directly attributable to events and gatherings. I’d like to thank each of you who continues to complete an asymptomatic COVID-19 test as a precaution before attending gatherings, and those of you who are staying home when you do not feel well. These simple acts help our campuses stay healthy. If our office or event organizers alert you to a potential exposure, please get tested. Asymptomatic COVID-19 tests are readily available on all OHIO campuses. 

Bandana Project kicks off soon: Would you like to get involved?

The Office of Health Promotion will kick off a new mental health awareness campaign, The Bandana Project, outside Baker Center from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 25. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate, which includes making a pledge indicating willingness to talk about mental health and suicide openly, and to help people feel encouraged and supported in getting help. Participants carry and display a lime green bandana that shows they are part of the Bandana Project mental health awareness movement, and that they can connect others with mental health resources.

In preparation for a full launch in the fall, Ann Brandon, associate director of Prevention and Education, is putting together a volunteer leadership team of professional and graduate staff. The team will conduct planning meetings this summer, requiring about an hour each week for meetings. Please contact Ann if you’d like to get involved. Having campus partners invested in the program will help make the project a success, and she could use your support. We know that making mental health support visible will be critical as the University continues to emerge from the pandemic. 

Play it safe for a healthy end of semester

With COVID-19 circulating alongside the flu and the common cold, I encourage all of us to use the basic precautions that will promote a healthy and successful finals week: washing hands, testing before gatherings, staying home when symptomatic, and keeping a mask handy to pop on when you find yourself in a crowded place with people from outside your household. Finals and the end of the semester are hard enough without feeling sick – let's head into summer feeling good! 

Dr. Gillian Ice

Special Assistant to the President for Public Health Operations