Dear Pitt Community,

As of Monday, April 5, 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.

Regional campus numbers are holding steady. However, the case counts on the Pittsburgh campus continue to increase. 28 positive student cases were reported Friday—an all-time high for a single day. The moving average of new cases per day remains elevated, at similar levels to where it was in November before students went home. But the way COVID-19 is spreading now looks different than it did in the fall. Most of the cases we’re seeing are in small pockets throughout multiple residence halls. Contact tracing has not revealed clear connections between these clusters, though we suspect off-campus spread. Students living off-campus may be avoiding testing or not reporting positive test results from outside vendors. This makes it very difficult to control the spread.

Remember, the goal of testing is not punitive; many vulnerable members of the Pitt community have not yet been vaccinated due to scarcity and remain at risk. The goal is to protect the campus. The best hope we have to get COVID-19 spread under control is to understand who has it, and that involves rapidly identifying close contacts. The virus is probably even more widespread than we know.

Historically, we have conducted randomized surveillance testing to monitor virus prevalence among students. Recently, response rates to invitations for surveillance testing have plummeted, at least in part due to pandemic fatigue—but increasing case counts make it clear that the prevalence is high.

In these final weeks of spring term, due to the rising case numbers, we are pivoting our testing strategy.  Beginning next week, we will no longer conduct randomized surveillance testing on the Pittsburgh campus. Instead, we will use the Posvar site to make testing available to any asymptomatic student on the Pittsburgh campus, no questions asked. If you feel you may have been exposed, have not been following mitigation measures or shelter-in-place protocols or simply want to know if you have COVID-19, please schedule a time to come for testing via PittSwab Scheduler. An extra hour has been added for testing this Wednesday morning at Posvar Hall: Testing now goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition, next week we will be offering increased focused testing in response to current trends. Please, when you are invited, come get tested.

We are sounding the alarm. Current spread is endangering our campus and surrounding communities. Please get tested and please continue to wear your face covering, wash your hands, practice physical distancing and follow shelter-in-place protocols.

Symptomatic testing will continue unchanged at Student Health Service. Pittsburgh campus students should call 412-383-1800 to book an appointment.

Under shelter in place, you may only leave your residence for essential activities. Learn more in the FAQ. Getting tested for COVID-19 is considered an essential activity.

The closure of lounges in residence halls intensifies feelings of isolation and creates tension between roommates within a virtual learning environment. For this reason, the CMRO has agreed to permit select residence hall lounges to reopen during the shelter-in-place period, provided strict masking and occupancy adherence is observed. Lounges will be opened and closed at the discretion of the CMRO and Student Affairs, on a case-by-case basis, based on low levels of spread. As a reminder, no guests are allowed in residence halls at this time.

Please remember to care for your mental health. Connect virtually with friends and family or safely seek out the sun. Take an online exercise or meditation course. And always, always: reach out for help if you need it.

Pitt continues to apply for vaccine from the state. Look for updates this week on coronavirus.pitt.edu. 

If you got your first dose at the Petersen Events Center, you will be contacted when it’s time to schedule your second dose. No matter where you get your first dose, please make sure you can return to the same clinic for your second dose.

We have the tools to stop this fourth surge from getting out of hand. Please wear a face covering, keep your distance from others, avoid making new close contacts and wash your hands frequently, even if you have already been vaccinated.

Thank you for your partnership and patience.

Sincerely,

COVID-19 Medical Response Office