Coronavirus Coverage

UA COVID-19 Test Tracker

Daily (12/8)
669 11 1.6%
Total (8/2)
66,070 1,065 1.6%
Includes tests since August 2, 2021
Data from https://covid19.arizona.edu/updates
Updated December 8, 2021

A college football season, in the middle of a pandemic, was simply too ambitious

By Jacob Mennuti

It seemed as though the light at the end of the tunnel was finally becoming visible. Professional sports had resuscitated its seasons in a time where fans needed it most. The NCAA had started to build a foundation for fall sports, announcing a conference-only structure for its seasons and creating a complex plan to safely bring its student-athletes back to campus. The Pac-12, along with several other conferences, even released exact dates for when these games were going to be played. But, unfortunately, the reality of the situation became impossible to ignore. Read more

What's in a good coronavirus test, accuracy or speed? It depends...

By Amit Syal | 08/10/2020 3:29am

With all of the testing blunders that have plagued the country's coronavirus scene, a faster, less-accurate test could be the solution to better controlling the pandemic. Experts are now retracting previous sentiments about the role that rapid tests and a quantity-over-quality strategy could play in bringing back a sense of normalcy.

New research shows asymptomatic carriers have similar viral load, infection spreads via aerosol

By Amit Syal | 08/09/2020 11:45am

With schools set to reopen soon, the unknowing presence of asymptomatic carriers and a high risk of transmission from aerosol could prove detrimental to keeping the spread of disease under control. A new study out of South Korea published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that asymptomatic carriers harbored similar quantities of the novel coronavirus, called a viral load, as those who displayed symptoms.

TOPIC OF THE WEEK: Campus etiquette, transportation options and internship opportunities 101

By Pascal Albright, Sam Burdette and Selena Kuikahi | 08/06/2020 2:14pm

For new students, maneuvering through your first year at the University of Arizona means more than getting from point A to point B. Easing that navigational stress means figuring out what works for you. Whether it's learning to not walk in the bike lanes, being the one on the bike, or cycling through job listings, our staff has you covered with pointers on getting where you need to go, no matter the destination. 

Letter from UA President Robbins to new students

  08/04/2020 3:15pm

In this letter, UA President Robert C. Robbins welcomes new students to the campus community and outlines some reminders to promote public health and safety at the university.

What “Test, Trace, and Treat” means for campus reentry so far

By Ian Tisdale | 07/27/2020 11:40pm

On July 23, President Dr. Robert C. Robbins announced the official return of in-person class in a press conference for the upcoming fall semester. During the briefing on campus reentry, Robbins, alongside Reentry Task Force Director Dr. Richard Carmona, confirmed that the return to campus plan will be largely dependent on the university’s effort to “Test, Trace, and Treat” the entire campus community. 

COVID-19 patients no longer need tests to end isolation, CDC says

By Amit Syal | 07/27/2020 11:35pm

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidelines regarding self-isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19. According to the new guidelines, "for most persons with COVID-19 illness, isolation and precautions can generally be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours."

What is pooled testing and how can it help limit the spread of COVID-19?

By Amit Syal | 07/28/2020 12:04pm

Many schools around the U.S. are set to reopen soon, and with daily COVID-19 case counts and percent positive rates still high, a more effective public health measure to track cases of the virus is desperately needed. The method, called pooled testing, utilizes a more widespread approach, testing both symptomatic and asymptomatic people.

Keeping your mental health and wellness during the pandemic and quarantine

By Jillian Bartsch | 07/27/2020 6:10am

The University of Arizona held COVID-19 webinars to discuss the challenges of confinement, share resources and to provide guidance about mental health. The first webinar was held on Friday, July 17. This webinar discussed anxiety and depression during COVID-19. The hosts of the webinar were Patricia Harrison-Monroe and Gustavo J. Perez.

The show goes on (remotely) at local movie theaters

By Elvia Verdugo | 07/28/2020 4:07pm

With movie theaters closed due to Gov. Doug Ducey’s latest executive order on June 29 to help slow the spread of COVID-19, local movie theaters have learned to adapt by providing entertainment from the safety of your home or vehicle. 

What international students need to know about campus

By Ian Tisdale | 07/29/2020 1:52pm

The University of Arizona's Global Center is the chief resource for anything international on campus. The center is primarily responsible for recruiting and welcoming Arizona’s international students, coordinating and matching students with study abroad opportunities and fostering collaboration with a worldwide network of nearly 150 global universities — most of which teach classes internationally for UA course credits.

Testing backlog plagues Arizona coronavirus scene

By Amit Syal | 07/25/2020 1:02pm

The state of Arizona recently passed 150,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with nearly half of them coming in the month of July. On Thursday, July 23, the state passed the grim milestone of 3,000 confirmed deaths with 89 reported that day.