Questions?
Please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
University of Waterloo information on COVID-19
Last updated: September 20, 2023
Latest updates
September 8 - Q and A with the experts: How can we protect our health this fall virus season?
The fall season means an increased risk of respiratory illness as we spend more time indoors with groups of family and friends. We can help protect ourselves and others by getting the flu vaccine and a booster shot for COVID-19 as cases for new variants rise globally.
What do you need to know about the ongoing risk of COVID-19? Mark Servos, professor and Canada Research Chair in Water Quality Protection in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Biology, provides answers and educational resources. Servos and his team have been running wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 since early in the pandemic.
Check out the Q&A with Dr. Mark Servos
Read the full memos for undergraduate students, employees and graduate students, and instructors.
Do your part
- Get a booster dose when you are eligible, and make sure eligible children receive their boosters as well.
- If you need to book a booster dose you can do so with Health Services and there are many online resources to help you find available shots, such as the Region of Waterloo, Vaccine Ontario or Vaccine Hunters.
- Masks are not required but are encouraged, especially in large gatherings. Wear a mask that fits well, has multiple layers, and has an effective filter layer. Wherever you go, please always follow the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) recommendations on masks.
- Limit your contact with other people and stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. You can take this self-assessment if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms.
Help is available
Students: We understand that many of our students have family members in areas affected by COVID-19. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’s Campus Wellness services, either Health or Counselling Services.
Employees: Our Employee and Family Assistance Program is available 24/7 for counselling, coaching and support. Call 1-800-663-1142 or visit Homeweb.ca.
If you are in crisis, feeling unsafe, or worried you might hurt yourself or others:
- call 911 if you are experiencing a life-threatening issue
- Counselling Services – 519-888-4567 ext. 42655.
- Grand River Hospital – 519-749-4300
- St. Mary's Hospital – 519-744-3311
- Empower Me, Mental Health Resources – 1-833-628-5589
- Counseling available via phone, video, and in person
- Available 24/7, 365 days in 22 countries worldwide
- Non-emergency Waterloo Regional Police Services – 519-653-770
Quick links
Travel advice
University resources
Community resources
Questions?
If you have questions about Waterloo's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
News
- Sep. 8, 2023Q and A with the experts: How can we protect our health this fall virus season?
By Angelica Marie Sanchez. This is an excerpt of an article that originally appeared on Waterloo News.
The fall season means an increased risk of respiratory illness as we spend more time indoors with groups of family and friends. We can help protect ourselves and others by getting the flu vaccine and a booster shot for COVID-19 as cases for new variants rise globally.
- Aug. 25, 2023Protect yourself and protect others this fall
With the return of students to the University for the fall term, you should be aware that respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza continue to circulate in our community both on-campus and off.
The COVID-19 virus continues to mutate, with scientists and public health experts sounding caution over new virulent variants such as EG.5 and BA.2.86 that could give rise to increased case counts this fall.
- Jan. 5, 2023Winter term: masks strongly recommended but optional
Update for the UWaterloo community
While COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses continue to circulate in our community, there is now less risk of disruption to our academic activities so a mask requirement will not continue. However, given the ongoing impact of these conditions for members of our community, we strongly encourage you to think of the people around you and help limit the spread of COVID by wearing a mask in indoor settings this term.