As of Monday, April 26, the Pitt COVID-19 dashboard reflects the following:

Cases on the regional campuses remain low and stable and case counts on the Pittsburgh campus continue to decrease. While this is encouraging, Allegheny County is still reporting elevated case numbers, indicating high level of virus circulation in the area.

Despite the low number of cases on our campuses, do not let down your guard or your mask. Please continue sheltering in place to keep your family and friends at home as safe as possible. Maintain good hand hygiene and at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others at all times.

Today the CDC announced new interim public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people regarding masks. Pitt’s health rules have not changed: Face coverings continue to be required indoors and outdoors for all community members.

If you travel after getting the first dose of vaccine but before being fully vaccinated, you may have some extra protection against severe disease, but you still need to follow the CDC-recommended post-travel quarantine. Regardless of your vaccination status, CDC prevention measures continue to apply to all travelers on all modes of public transportation. You still must wear a mask and maintain physical distance while traveling.

A limited number of first dose Moderna appointments are available for individuals age 18 and older Wednesday, April 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. These and future clinics will be held at the former AT&T storefront on Fifth Avenue in Nordenberg Hall, across the street from Starbucks.

Students are encouraged to get vaccinated before traveling home—even if that means needing to get a second dose at a different location. Health departments across the country are working with vaccine providers in their states to ensure college students get fully vaccinated within the appropriate time window for each two-dose series.

If you still need a vaccine, the clinics on Wednesday and Thursday of this week are taking walk-ins. To ensure a spot, please register at https://pi.tt/vras and use access code H2PVax21. After registering, you will receive an email to schedule your appointment. If you have previously registered, you should have already received that email. You may also call the Pitt COVID-19 hotline for assistance with registration and scheduling at 412-383-4372.

As this is the last week of students being on campus, this will be the final week of regular Tuesday/Friday CMRO email updates. The public dashboard will continue to be updated twice a week. The University of Pittsburgh will continue to closely monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all health and safety rules remain in place. As we have said, this is not over, and now is not the time to let our guard down.

You will continue to receive emails and information about vaccination opportunities and other developments throughout the summer. The most effective way to make the fall term closer to normal is to get vaccinated. Students remaining on the Pittsburgh campus over the summer may continue to get a COVID-19 test by calling Student Health Service. Faculty and staff may continue to order tests through Quest.

We are proud of our community and especially the terrific efforts by Pitt students. Students, faculty and staff have risen to huge challenges this year. Best of luck to everyone on finals. Stay well and stay safe.

Sincerely,

COVID-19 Medical Response Office