With an alarming rise in cases on the Pitt’s Oakland campus, the University will implement a University-wide-shelter-in-place beginning on April 16.
The last day for classes is April 23.
The shelter-in-place means that student can attend in-person classes as long as the current Risk Posture allows. Students are also allowed to leave their residence for essentials but large gatherings and other actives are restricted.
The rise in cases is also a concern for the approaching commencement.
Cases remain low at regional campuses Pitt-Johnstown and Pitt-Bradford.
More information will be made available as the date approaches.
Earlier this week, the university confirmed that the U.K. COVID variant is present on the Pitt campus.
That variant is more easily transmitted and believed to possibly be deadlier than the original strain of COVID-19.
In the last three days 42 students have tested positive for coronavirus with 71 in isolation. Eight additional faculty or staff cases have also been reported.
On Friday, Allegheny County reported 586 new cases, the most since January. Nine additional deaths were also reported.
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With only a month left in the semester, Pitt says it is “highly unlikely” the university “will be in a position to vaccinate the majority of our students who before the end of term.”
The university encourages those who are traveling back home for the summer to look to get a vaccine in their communities with some states having more availability to a vaccine than others.
Earlier this week, the Allegheny County Health Department announced that anyone 16 and up that fall within the Phase 1A can schedule an appointment for the vaccine.