University of Pittsburgh student tests positive for covid-19

A University of Pittsburgh student living in a campus residence hall has tested positive for covid-19, university officials said Sunday.

“Late last night, we learned of a confirmed case of coronavirus disease, covid-19, in one of our Pittsburgh campus residence halls,” the university said in a message sent to the campus community on Sunday.

“We have also been made aware of other potential cases within the University of Pittsburgh community, and expect that we will continue to see an increase in the number of people impacted as covid-19 spreads throughout our communities,” the message said.

The university said it is following existing protocols and working with local health officials to support the affected student and help reduce the spread of the virus to others.

Those efforts include retracing the student’s movements, making contact with people who have had close contact with the student, and cleaning and disinfecting areas where the student resided and any other areas the student visited for a prolonged period of time. All people who may have had close contact with the student have been contacted, the message said.

“We can confirm that this person was a resident in university housing, and that others residing in the same facility have been informed,” spokesman Kevin Zwick said.

The student is now isolating at home, Zwick said.

Last week, Pitt began moving all students remaining on campus to private residences with individual bathrooms. The university is also encouraging people to practice social distancing, self-isolate as appropriate, and cooperate with current public health guidance and officials.

Any student who remains on a Pitt campus and begins to experience symptoms should immediately call the Student Health Service at 412-383-1800 the message said.