The University reported 52 new cases of COVID this week, up from 35 cases the previous week, according to a UChicago Forward update sent to the campus community on April 2. The update follows UChicago’s week-long spring break during which University officials urged community members not to travel outside the Chicago area.

There are 51 close contacts associated with the new cases. Seven students are in on-campus isolation housing, and 41 students are isolating off-campus.

16 of the 4,445 tests performed through UChicago’s off-campus surveillance testing program came back positive, bringing this week’s positivity rate to 0.39 percent in that population.

This week also marks the launch of UChicago’s dedicated vaccine clinic for University personnel. The University announced that, as of Friday morning, it had issued vaccine scheduling appointments to approximately 16,000 of an estimated 20,000 people who are eligible to receive a vaccine during Phase 1c.

Per city guidelines, Chicagoans aged 16–64 with underlying medical conditions and all non-vaccinated essential workers are eligible for vaccination in Phase 1c. UChicago is also vaccinating all students who will receive a W-2 form from the University for paid Spring Quarter duties under Phase 1c.

However, the email noted that “the pace of sending the remaining invitations is uncertain” due to factors including vaccine supply and the number of eligible people who choose to be vaccinated through UChicago’s vaccine clinic.

UChicago is sending vaccine scheduling invitations in batches. According to the email, “the need to administer second doses in the coming weeks may mean limited availability for first dose appointments.”

The update notes that only people who receive their first dose from the vaccine clinic are eligible to receive their second dose there, recommending that people who received their first dose elsewhere use the city of Chicago’s vaccine finder to secure their second dose.