The University of Arizona identified the first cases of the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus within its Tucson campus community Tuesday.
We are sharing Arizona Daily Star reporters' and photographers' favorite work from 2021.
Early in the morning, scientists working in a lab overseen by the UA’s department of ecology and evolutionary biology were using genomic testing to test samples sent to them through the university’s voluntary testing program. To date, at least seven samples have tested positive for the omicron variant.
“This is a fast-moving variant: safe to assume it is already spreading quickly,” Michael Worobey, a virology expert and director of the lab that found the omicron-positive samples at the UA, tweeted Tuesday after alerting university officials of his findings. “Let’s all do what we can now to slow its spread.”
It’s not clear if the samples came from students, staff or both. While students at the UA are not required to show proof of vaccination to attend classes, the UA has put in place a mandate for its estimated 16,000 employees to get vaccinated by January or get approval for an exemption. Otherwise, they’ll be at risk of losing their jobs.
According to the most recent data available, roughly 84% of UA employees have shared their vaccination status with the university.
And that was all put in place before the emergence of the omicron variant, which was first identified in the United States within the last month.
Although scientists are still working to understand the precise nature of the omicron variant, public health officials warn that it’s likely more contagious and more resistant to vaccines than the original COVID-19 virus.
A recent report from the Associated Press said that the omicron variant is now present within 73% of new COVID-19 cases.
Mandated testing ‘on the table’
As of right now, the UA is planning to move forward with operating campus at full capacity next semester, which includes mostly in-person learning for more than 50,000 students and staff.
But that could change before next month when everyone returns from holiday break, which started last Friday.
“We’re pretty lucky right now that we have few students on campus,” UA spokeswoman Holly Jensen told the Arizona Daily Star. The university has not made any new plans yet, but Jensen said it will take the omicron variant’s status in the local community into consideration when it holds discussions with its public health advisors over the coming days and weeks.
Although Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order last summer that banned universities from requiring testing or vaccines, the courts invalidated that order this fall. It’s not clear if state officials will make another attempt at preventing universities from issuing such mandates.
For right now, however, that means mandatory testing “is definitely on the table, especially with everyone coming back from break,” Jensen said. “But we also have to make sure that we don’t cross the governor or that the governor doesn’t write another order that prevents testing when we get back.”
Students and staff are already required to wear masks in all indoor spaces when social distancing is not possible. On Tuesday, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a countywide mask mandate for all indoor spaces in light of the omicron variant’s rise. The UA said it will maintain full compliance with that order.
“As this goes on, and the predictions come true, and we see a massive skyrocket in the county and around the state, (mandatory testing) will definitely be a possibility,” Jensen said. “The No. 1 thing we want people to remember is that it’s so important to be vaccinated. But also, anyone who got vaccinated six month ago, it’s also important to get the booster because this is spreading so fast.”
In Arizona, where COVID-19 is the leading cause of death and hospitalizations are at a high point, health officials are also urging residents to take omicron seriously and get vaccinated — and boosted.
“There is every indication that vaccines will continue offering significant protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 as this extraordinarily contagious variant spreads,” Don Herrington, interim director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said in a news release Tuesday.
“Boosters are important for everyone who is eligible, but they are especially important for older people who are more prone to severe illness from breakthrough infections.”
Photos: Dorm move-in on University of Arizona campus
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Carter Henkel, left, freshman, hands her dad Brett Henkel a curtain for her closet during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in at Likins Hall dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Kenzie Stratton, junior, starts to unpack her belongings as she moves into her off-campus housing during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in at The Hub in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Richard Wong starts to unload the car while his daughter checks-in during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in at Villa del Puente dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
A welcome home sign with covid procedures are placed on a door knob while Richard Wong helps his daughter move into her dorm during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in at Villa del Puente in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Carter Henkel, freshman, decorates her desk during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in at Likins Hall dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Brett Henkel places his daughters dresses in a moving box while unloading his car during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in outside of Likins Hall dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Sarah Jefferson, far left, freshman, and her family, from left to right, father JP Jefferson, mother Shelley Jefferson and sister Megan Jefferson, finish packing up Sarah's dorm items before heading to Likins Hall dorm during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in outside of Likins Hall dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Michelle Wong, right, helps her mom Oralia Wong and her father Richard Wong move the moving box into the elevator during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in at Villa del Puente dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Kenzie Stratton, junior, talks with her roommate on the phone while checking out her off-campus apartment during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in at The Hub in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Sarah Jefferson, freshman, and other incoming students push their moving boxes towards their dorms during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in outside of Likins Hall dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
Kenzie Stratton, junior, rolls one of her suitcases and her Arizona Pomline uniforms towards her off-campus housing during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in outside of The Hub in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
University of Arizona dorm move-in
Updated
A vaccinated sign is placed near student dorms while students unload their dorm items during the first day of the University of Arizona's student move-in outside Villa del Puente dorm in Tucson, Ariz. on August 18th, 2021.
