Pitt reports another COVID-19 case increase

The University of Pittsburgh, wherestudents already are under a shelter-in-place order, reported another surge in COVID-19 cases Friday with the rolling five-day average now at 13 new infections daily, up from 9 per day as of Tuesday.

The university said it remained concerned by the numbers and the prospects for a fourth surge of the pandemic.

“Looking beyond our campuses, there are worrisome trends. In Allegheny County, case counts are high and hospitalizations are increasing,” according to the report from Pitt’s COVID-19 medical response office “Hospitals elsewhere are admitting younger COVID-19 patients at similar rates to fall and winter surges. We must act together to avoid spread of the virus, all preventable deaths and prolonged health complications from COVID-19.”

Since Tuesday, the Pittsburgh campus has seen 51 students test positive, 92 students are now in isolation, and three faculty or staff have tested positive.

“The majority of cases are from symptomatic students,” Pitt spokesman David Seldin said Friday. “All students are monitored by health care professionals, and we are not aware of any hospitalizations.”

On Tuesday, Pitt said the virus was widespread in 13 residence

halls. A day later, the university instituted a shelterin-place order for students that initially was not expected to start until April 16. With the first commencement ceremony less than a month away, officials said their worry was compounded by the presence on campus and in the county of the U.K. variant, B 1.1.7.

“We have the tools to stop this fourth surge from getting out of hand,” the medical response office said in its statement. “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.”

Under shelter-in-place, which took effect at 9 p.m. Wednesday for the 29,000student campus, individuals are to leave their residences only for essential activities. Meal service is takeout only.

Smaller infection numbers have been reported since Tuesday on Pitt’s regional campuses, including two students at PittBradford, five at PittGreensburg and one at Pitt-Johnstown. No new employee infections had been reported

Officials also said all Pennsylvanians in Phase 1B, including education workers, would be eligible for vaccines Monday.