Pitt adds 61 new COVID-19 cases since Nov. 3

Pitt officials said Thursday that 35 students and 26 employees tested positive for COVID-19 from Nov. 3 to Nov. 9.

According to an email sent by Pitt’s COVID-19 Medical Response Office, cases remained low. They also reminded members of the Pitt community who plan on traveling for Thanksgiving that they need to be cautious about COVID-19 mitigation and not travel with symptoms.

The CMRO also reminded unvaccinated members of the Pitt community about the interim COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all students, faculty and staff. The policy said a COVID-19 vaccine will be required starting on Dec. 6 for everyone without a religious or medical reason or “strong moral or ethical conviction.”

The email also provided important information for holiday travel and gatherings. 

• If you are vaccinated and do not have symptoms of COVID-19, there is no need to test before and after travel.
• Regardless of vaccination status, if you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested. If you test positive, do not travel.  
• Always wear a mask when travelling and maintain good hand hygiene.
• Everyone should continue to avoid high-risk activities and spaces to the fullest extent possible, including unmasked indoor spaces, unmasked time around symptomatic or unvaccinated people or gathering in large, unmasked groups. Eating and drinking in group settings are higher risk activities.
• As a reminder, under Pitt Health Rules, eating and drinking are not allowed in group settings on campus other than in designated dining locations. Holiday parties should not include eating and drinking indoors in closed spaces.

For those who remain unvaccinated, the CMRO said Pitt’s testing requirements will remain in place over the break.

• People who have yet to submit proof of vaccination will still need to submit results from a Quest test the week of Thanksgiving.
• Pitt strongly encourage students to drop off or send their tests back to Quest before they leave for break to help avoid FedEx delays.
• Residence halls will remain open during Thanksgiving break, but only the Panther Central Quest test drop-off location will be open from Thursday to Sunday of Thanksgiving week.
• Students must test on Monday or Tuesday each week to stay in compliance with the mandatory testing policy