Dear Pitt Community,

As of Monday, March 29, the Pitt COVID-19 dashboard reflects the following:

The scope of our dashboard and these updates is limited to people who have been on a Pitt campus within the last 14 days.

Numbers remain low on the regional campuses, and contact tracing is underway at Pitt-Bradford and Pitt-Greensburg to identify and quarantine close contacts of students who tested positive.

We are concerned, however, about the Pittsburgh campus. Despite testing fewer students over the weekend, the moving average of positive cases per day continues to approach 10. COVID-19 is now widespread across 13 residence halls, and the majority of new cases are on campus. Our isolation housing capacity remains sufficient. However, with the U.K. variant, B 1.1.7, present on campus and Allegheny County cases rising, we are deeply worried about the possibility that this trend will continue or worsen in the remaining five weeks of spring term. We must take action now to reverse this trend.

Please wear a face covering, keep your distance from others, don’t gather in large numbers, avoid making new close contacts and maintain good hand hygiene—even outdoors and even if you have been vaccinated.

We know many people plan to travel in the next few weeks. Whether for holidays or vacation, University business or personal travel, all Pitt community members who choose to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to quarantine for a full seven days upon their return with a test at day 3-5—or a full ten days without a test—regardless of immunization status. This is for the health and safety of our community and in line with the CDC guidelines.

The CMRO encourages everyone to avoid all nonessential travel. Our behavior today has implications for others weeks from now. Listen to some seniors speak on what it’s like to have their in-person commencement in jeopardy.

Two weeks ago, Governor Wolf announced maximum gathering capacities for restaurants and other businesses would increase on Friday, April 4. Since that time, cases in PA have continued to rise. In this context, we want to remind every member of the Pitt community that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should; just because someone else is doing something doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Pitt did not receive any additional vaccine doses this week and it is not clear when more vaccine will be received. We highly encourage everyone to be vaccinated when you are eligible. Please make sure that you are able to return to the same clinic for a second dose within 28-42 days of your first vaccine.

Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) continues to receive vaccine and has lowered the vaccination age limit for their clinics to 16-64 with a Phase 1A health condition. Sign up for Allegheny Alerts to be notified when limited doses become available.

If you are unsure about being vaccinated for COVID-19, please understand the myths and facts, and learn more about why you should get vaccinated.

Thanks, as always, for your partnership and patience.

Sincerely,

COVID-19 Medical Response Office