UTA In The News — Wednesday, December 22, 2021
North Texas prepares for COVID-19 surge
North Texas hospitals are preparing for a COVID-19 surge that may come in early January, sparked by the new omicron variant, The Dallas Morning News reported. Erin Carlson, UT Arlington associate professor and director of graduate public health programs, said that hospital officials are worried about the mental health of their employees.
Need for Tarrant County teachers
Catherine Robert, UT Arlington assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies, spoke to NBC 5 about teacher shortages in the areas of special education and English as a second language. Robert said 20% of Texas teachers are at or near retirement age, and the enduring stress of the pandemic may contribute to their decision to leave the workforce, creating an abundance of open teaching jobs that need to be filled.
Teacher shortage
Local school districts are seeking recent graduates to fill the gap left by unprecedented midyear teacher shortages, NBC 5 and KRLD 1080 AM reported. Jenica Kevil, who expects to graduate from UT Arlington’s College of Education in May 2022, has already found a position as a substitute teacher in Arlington ISD. Kevil said that she and her classmates are eager to join the education workforce.
Delayed care for non-COVID patients
An omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge could tax the North Texas health care system and delay care for non-coronavirus patients seeking hospital beds and appointments in coming weeks, The Dallas Morning News reported. Erin Carlson, UT Arlington associate professor and director of graduate public health programs, said finding care when emergency departments are inundated with COVID-19 patients is an extra burden for patients who urgently need treatment.
Holiday gatherings amid COVID-19
The timing of the holidays, along with the recent emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant, may drive a surge in COVID-19 cases after the holidays, the Dallas Observer reported. Erin Carlson, UT Arlington associate professor and director of graduate public health programs, advised that precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are still necessary and provided insight into how individuals can encourage family members to take extra care.
Carnegie classification
UT Arlington again has been named to the elite group of R-1: Doctoral Universities—Very High Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the city of Arlington reported. Only nine public institutions in Texas are included in the category, which is the definitive list for the top doctoral research universities in the United States.