On Monday, Jan. 11, the University of California system, which includes UCLA, UC Irvine, and eight other campuses, announced plans to return to in-person, on-campus learning by Fall 2021.

University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D., a former chancellor for UC Irvine, expressed confidence in the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine, credited months of research, and the implementation of numerous COVID-19 prevention efforts, that will give the UC system the tools needed to make a statewide shift back to in-person education.

“As the university continues to monitor the evolution of the pandemic, we are also carefully planning a safe return to in-person classes,” Drake wrote. “Current forecasts give us hope that in the fall our students can enjoy a more normal on-campus experience.”

The decision, announced Monday, was made by Drake along with 10 additional UC chancellors. The statement indicates that the switch back to in-person education by Fall 2021 will be a fluid, evolving situation.

“In spite of dynamic conditions, the university understands the importance of communicating its plans as early as possible, as it stays flexible and nimble, to ensure students and their families have the latest information for decisions on enrollment, housing and other aspects of university life,” the Chancellor’s statement read.

As the UC system prepares for the Fall 2021 shift, statewide, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a $2 billion plan to reopen in-person education under a new tiered framework that will be implemented by February.

In December, the City of Hope and UC Irvine unveiled on-going research and development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines happening in Irvine, and throughout California.

As of Jan. 6, Los Angeles County has received 490,000 total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of this writing, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported that 151,772 doses had been administered.

In Orange County, the O.C. COVID-19 Task Force has vaccinated reported more than 32,000 people within all tiers of the Phase 1A population since Dec. 31. However, the rollout of the vaccine has not come without some hiccups.

Statewide, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a $2 billion plan to reopen in-person education under a new tiered framework that will be implemented by February.

On Sunday, Jan. 10, Los Angeles County recorded 166 new COVID-19 related deaths, with 14,482 COVID-19 cases, brining the county total to 920,177 total cases.

On Monday, Jan. 11, LA County reported an additional 137 COVID-19 related deaths, with 12,617 new COVID-19 cases. To date, 12,387 people have died from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.

On Monday Jan. 11, the Los Angeles County unveiled plans to transform Dodgers Stadium into a mass vaccination distribution site, expecting to administer more than 10,000 doses per day, according to L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.

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