Top Stories

Pitt issues ‘shelter-in-place’ as COVID-19 becomes widespread in dorms

PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh is moving to the Elevated Risk Posture for COVID-19 following an increase in positive cases among students, and ordered a shelter-in-place period starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

During the shelter-in-place period, students should only leave their rooms or apartments to attend classes, labs, or clinicals in person; pick up food; exercise safely; work when necessary; and shop for essentials and medical needs. Group work for classes and student activities should be held virtually.

Campus dining will be available via takeout only beginning with tomorrow morning’s breakfast service. Residence hall lounges, recreation rooms and kitchens will begin closing tonight.

Officials with the university reported another surge in cases over the weekend. According to an update from the university, “COVID-19 is now widespread across 13 residence halls.” There were 29 new cases in students and one new employee case. 67 students were in isolation.

“With the U.K. variant B 1.1.7 present on campus and Allegheny County cases rising, we are deeply worried about the possibility that this trend will continue or worsen in the remaining five weeks of spring term,” the update said. “Of significant concern is that the increase in positive cases since the end of last week is now among our residence hall students.”

Numbers remained low on regional campuses, and university officials said their main concern is the Oakland campus. This comes amid discussions of expanding vaccine eligibility in Pennsylvania and Gov. Tom Wolf relaxing capacity limits this Friday.