Dear Community,

While COVID-19 rates remain low in Maryland and Baltimore County, there is a slight increase in case rates that likely reflects the emergence of the BA.2 variant in our region. We want to make you aware that at UMBC, we are also seeing and managing a similar increase in cases, primarily among our residential community. 

Our health and safety team continuously monitors the situation on campus, makes safety recommendations, and implements prevention measures as needed. However, as we continue to respond to these cases, we want to remind our community of key health and safety precautions you can take.

• Minimize your exposure. Evaluate situations where you spend time in more crowded indoor settings and consider adding additional safety measures such as wearing a mask, distancing, or taking advantage of virtual options. Free masks remain available on campus.

• Stay up to date. If you have not done so already, get a COVID-19 booster. Booster shots are readily available at pharmacies in the community.

• Do not come to campus if you are sick. 

• Test as necessary. We continue to offer free on-campus testing for asymptomatic community members. Free rapid test kits are available at the Police station and the commons information desk. Please remember to report a positive test result here. 

Thank you in advance for your help. If you have questions, please contact covid19@umbc.edu.

Provost Philip Rous

Vice President of Information Technology and CIO Jack Suess

COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs