University of Pittsburgh COVID-19 Dashboard Update

Dear Pitt Community,

As of Thursday, March 18, the Pitt COVID-19 dashboard reflects the following:

 

Pittsburgh Campus


SINCE OUR LAST UPDATE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 16:

» 36 students have tested positive.

» 45 students are in isolation.

» The 5-day moving average of positive cases per day is 8.8.

» 2 new faculty or staff cases have been reported.

Regional Campuses


SINCE OUR LAST UPDATE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 16:

» 2 students have tested positive at Pitt-Johnstown.

» No new faculty or staff cases have been reported.

Operational Postures


All campuses are in the Guarded Risk Posture.

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

 

Unpacking the data

While regional campus numbers remain low, cases on the Pittsburgh campus are spiking. Since last update, we’ve gone from an average of 4.8 to 8.8 new cases per day. That is an 83 percent increase in just three days, and a higher moving average than it has been all term. While the majority of positive cases are symptomatic, 13 are a result of testing offered to asymptomatic students this week.

It’s critical during the spike in cases to not make any new close contacts. That is how the virus spreads. Everyone has pandemic fatigue and is excited about spring weather – but we need to keep our guard up. Please remember that COVID-19 can still spread outdoors. Masking is required in all shared spaces on campus, indoors and out. You should also wear a mask when off campus and avoid gathering with people outside of your established close contacts, even outside.

 

State of the pandemic

Eight months ago this week, the CMRO sent out our first update to the Pitt community The message we shared in that first update remains true: This is a marathon, not a sprint – and you can’t give up until you cross the finish line. The finish line is close, but we’re not there yet.  

We simply cannot stress it enough: Masking, social distancing and hand hygiene are our ways out of this pandemic. Most Pitt students have done a terrific job with mitigation so far—please keep it up. We are concerned about the spike in cases this week and upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Now is the time to double down on mitigation.

 

St. Patrick’s Day testing

Since offering additional testing on the Pittsburgh campus after reports of large gatherings, we received many requests for testing.

We want to be as clear as possible: Testing does not get you out of bad behavior. A negative test is not an indication that it is safe to be around others, unmasked. It is possible to get a negative test result while you have COVID-19 if the test is taken too early. Please avoid large gatherings and do not make new close contacts.

 


Student Health Service will be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will offer testing for symptomatic students. Further asymptomatic testing dates will be announced next week.

Your partnership and patience throughout this whole year has been deeply appreciated. You are part of the reason we have come this far. Let’s finish strong!

Sincerely,

COVID-19 Medical Response Office