UW Moves Classes Online For Start Of Winter Quarter

SEATTLE — The University of Washington will begin its winter quarter under a remote learning plan at its campuses in Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell, with officials citing the rapid spread of coronavirus cases linked to the omicron variant.

In a letter shared with students and published online Tuesday afternoon, UW President Ana Mari Cauce announced most classes would shift to online learning between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 to "help minimize disruption caused by the omicron variant and enable more people to receive a vaccination booster prior to in-person classes."

Cauce's letter continues:

"We recognize the news in recent days — and even this announcement — may spark both concern and a sense of déjà vu. The rapid spread of Omicron does remind us of the spread of the original coronavirus and comes at a time when we are all feeling the losses and the physical, mental and emotional effects of a nearly two-year pandemic.

But much has changed since early 2020. We know more, are better prepared and are a community that is using all the tools available to us to mitigate the risk of infection and illness, starting with extremely high vaccination rates. FDA-authorized vaccines provide protection against severe illness and this protection can be enhanced through booster shots, which are strongly recommended."

On Monday, UW Virology said recent sequencing efforts had detected the highly transmissible omicron variant in close to 70 percent of samples analyzed last Thursday. According to the latest data from Public Health - Seattle & King County, case counts have increased by more than 120 percent in just the last week.

Sequencing also revealed the university's first omicron cases on Dec. 16, flagged in samples collected by the Husky Coronavirus Testing program.

UW officials said facilities at all three campuses would remain open and operational during the online learning phase, including student housing, services, advising and libraries. Most classes will meet online, with the exception of certain lab courses.

Right now, the university plans to resume in-person instruction on Monday, Jan. 10.

Read the full letter sent to students on the University of Washington website.

Related coverage:

• Omicron 'A Significant Concern' For The Holidays: WA DOH
• Seattle & King County Expand COVID Testing And Booster Efforts
• Omicron Could Shatter Records By Next Week In King County