Dear campus community, 

In recent weeks, we have seen encouraging signs that the latest COVID-19 surge is coming to an end. Across the state and nation — and especially in the city of Detroit — the number of new cases is rapidly declining, and positivity rates and hospitalizations are significantly lower than just a few weeks ago. Last week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services eased its indoor mask requirements, recommending them only when in high-risk settings or for individuals at higher risk. 

This is very good news for Wayne State University, as it suggests that we will soon be able to ease some of the campus health requirements we put in place in November. And the wide availability of vaccines, boosters and medications to effectively treat COVID-19 — many of which were not available when requirements were initially lifted last spring — can help ensure that this return to normalcy is long-lived, without significant disruptions. 
As part of our commitment to follow the science, the Campus Health Committee will review the latest data throughout this week. If these trends hold — and we believe that they will — we will make the appropriate changes to our health and safety requirements, which we will communicate on Monday, February 28.       

I am proud of how our community has weathered the challenges of the last two years. You have pivoted when necessary and taken the proper precautions to protect yourself and other members of our community. This has allowed us to return to on-campus learning and activities, and we are hopeful that the latest trends mean the next steps toward normalcy are imminent. Thank you for your continued commitment to the safety of our campus.

Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, PhD, RN, FAAN
Chair, Campus Health Committee
WSU Chief Health & Wellness Officer