The current number of COVID-19 cases in Indiana has been rising through July and early August. The increase is related to a shift to highly contagious variants that are able to avoid the protection that vaccines or prior COVID infection have provided. Although these recent infections are generally mild with cold-like symptoms, there have been some small increases in COVID-related hospitalizations.
As a reminder, testing positive for COVID (through a test in a clinic or at home) leads to the need to isolate from others. To minimize the number of new infections among IU School of Medicine students, residents, staff and faculty, the use of high-quality masking is welcomed and encouraged by the school in all indoor group activities, such as classrooms, shared office space and break areas when not actively eating or drinking.
Masking with a blue surgical mask or N-95-style mask is believed to be the best protection from transmission of the current virus variants. This is particularly important as IU School of Medicine welcomes new and returning students to campuses this month.
