February 12, 2021

Dear RVU Family:

The number of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in Colorado and Utah continue to decline. New positive cases increased 2.17% in Colorado and 2.87% in Utah, while positive cases in the US increased 3.66% over the previous week’s statistics. These are much better numbers than past months. Within the RVU Community, there were no new cases in Colorado and 2 positive cases among students (1 pre-clinical and 1 clinical) in Utah since last week.

Here are the updates for this week:

• CRT Town Hall Recording: The Mediasite link from last Friday’s Town Hall is provided here once again in case you missed it. We appreciate the positive feedback many of you provided.
• Vaccine Update:
  • Colorado: Last week, both COM and PA students volunteered with Dr. Bentley to provide vaccines from our first shipment of vaccines. Unfortunately, we did not receive a second shipment yet. As of this morning, we are still awaiting the decision of the next shipment of vaccines to our Health Center.
    • RVUCOM student leaders are working with the Colorado Medical Society to get their student members vaccinated. Be on the lookout for a separate non-CRT email regarding this opportunity.
  • Utah: The final application has been submitted to become a COVID vaccine distribution site. The vaccine site team is scheduled to have their first planning meeting today. Our hopeful goal is to get an expedited approval and launch in March. Additional updates will be provided as they become available. We will need many volunteers in the near future!

• MYTH: If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, there is a chance I will test positive for COVID-19                                           

FACT:  You will not test positive for active COVID-19 infection after receiving the vaccine. You may test positive for COVID-19 antibodies but this may be considered a good thing.        Getting the vaccine and developing antibodies to battle the COVID-19 pandemic is protective to you and the ones around you. ^source

Stay well, stay safe, and have a wonderful weekend!

Professionally yours,

The COVID-19 Response Team