Engineers in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University are using their expertise and equipment in a campus-wide effort to create personal protective equipment to keep up with the needs of health care providers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
A leader and expert in process operations, risk assessment and food safety has been selected as the next dean of the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. Darrell Donahue’s appointment as the dean of the Davis College was announced Thursday (April 9) by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed.
The Monongalia County Health Department and West Virginia University were notified Wednesday (April 8) that more than a dozen WVU students have tested positive for novel coronavirus COVID-19. Although investigations and contact tracing are ongoing, it is believed 14 students returned to private, off-campus residences upon returning to Morgantown. As a reminder, WVU campuses have been closed and access to buildings has been unavailable since March 20, with limited exceptions. There is no indication that the students have been on campus.
As WVU Medicine prepares for a surge in COVID-19 patients, two Morgantown-area businesses donated 10,000 facemasks to help boost personal protective equipment supplies for healthcare providers.
In his April 8 letter, President Gordon Gee also noted measures will continue through June 30 to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff and the WVU community.
Leveraging an artificial intelligence-driven predictive model, wearable ring technology, and a COVID-19 monitoring app, RNI scientists and partners are developing an innovative “digital PPE” approach that potentially can identify infected frontline healthcare professionals before they become symptomatic – a possible breakthrough in monitoring capabilities and limiting the spread.
The purchase, coordinated through the West Virginia University Health System, includes 1,149,000 procedural masks, 163,025 surgical masks, 116,120 N95 respirators, 290,180 disposable gowns, 29,400 pairs of protective eyewear (goggles and glasses), and 40,000 disposable suits.
WVU Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Rob Alsop and Dean of Students Corey Farris provided details regarding student emergency financial assistance in a letter sent to parents and students on Tuesday, April 7.
West Virginia University’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics is offering services to small businesses feeling the strain of prolonged closures or limited offerings stemming from the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Less than 15 minutes after the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources opened its Coronavirus Hotline, the first caller dialed in. Since opening on March 9 at 9:30 a.m., hotline workers have fielded more than 11,700 calls — and counting.