UB is phasing out the Daily Health Check, the university’s virtual COVID-19 screening tool. Beginning next week, the Daily Health Check will cease sending text message reminders, and students, faculty, staff and visitors will no longer be required to complete it. If anyone receives a text message reminding them to access the Daily Health Check, they may disregard it—no further action is needed.

This decision reflects the effectiveness of broad vaccine adoption at UB, which has the highest student vaccination rate in SUNY (99%) and a very high rate among employees (nearly 90%), as well as continuation of other science-based health and safety measures. Together, they are significantly reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection on campus.

The Daily Health Check proved an essential and successful part of UB’s ongoing health and safety campaign. Since its introduction in the late summer of 2020, it served 31,954 users, who submitted nearly 2.8 million attestations, and the screening tool contributed to UB’s low positivity rate, which continues to be among the lowest in SUNY.

Although UB will no longer offer a formal health screening or collect related data, individuals should continue to:

• Closely monitor their personal health on a daily basis and stay home when they feel sick.
• Wear a face covering indoors as well as at crowded outdoor events.
• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly.
• Maintain physical distance from others where practical.
• Demonstrate proof of vaccination for eligible populations when required at campus events.
• Participate in weekly testing if required to do so.

In addition to these measures, the university strongly encourages eligible members of the campus community to get COVID-19 booster shots. Like the initial vaccines, boosters have been fully authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, and free clinics are operating on the North, South and Downtown campuses—no appointment necessary. More information on boosters is available on UB’s COVID-19 response site.