The University of Georgia is seeing a sharp decline in COVID cases.

The University Health Center (UHC) reported a little more than 160 cases last week, down from more than 500 the week before. Cases are now below the number at the start of fall semester.

UGA’s Dr. Shelley Nuss says she hopes the downward trend holds. She adds that there was a similar pattern last fall when cases peaked shortly after classes began, then fell substantially before eventually leveling off.

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“The UHC offers free surveillance testing to faculty, staff and students and can accommodate up to 800 per day onsite at the UHC or in occasional pop-up clinics on campus,” according to a recent UGA press release.

UGA is now offering cash prizes of $1,000 for faculty, staff and students who are fully vaccinated.

A drawing for the first 50 winners will be held tonight at 5 p.m., with subsequent drawings of 25 winners each to be held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 15.

“As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, more than 21,000 individuals have registered,” UGA representatives said in statement. “In addition, the university is giving away $20 gift cards and T-shirts to those who are vaccinated.”

Since classes resumed, the UHC has administered nearly 2,000 vaccines onsite or in partnership with the local Department of Health in pop-up clinics. COVID-19 vaccines are free to faculty, staff and students and their dependents over age 16.

“To date, the UHC has administered 25,771 vaccines to the UGA community,” the university confirmed in a press release this week.

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