Updates

In accordance with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) guidelines, Caltech reports on the COVID-19 Dashboard all potential clusters of COVID-19 cases in the workplace over the last 14 days. A "cluster" is defined by the Pasadena Public Health Department to be three or more epidemiologically linked cases in a shared location. Incidents of potentially linked cases are recorded along with the daily log for individual reported infections on the Student Wellness Services' website.

To: The Campus Community
From: Stephanie Long, Medical Director, Student Wellness Services
Date: August 19, 2024
Re: Reminder of Campus COVID-19 and Respiratory Illness Measures

Pasadena and LA County health officials have reported a recent rise in COVID-19 cases and, as a result, advise residents to exercise greater caution in managing their health. Caltech continues to work with local health authorities to ensure appropriate campus health and wellness policies. Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) guidance advises a symptom-based approach for isolation and recovery that is the same for individuals with COVID-19, influenza, or another respiratory illness. 

In short, PPHD requires anyone who is ill with respiratory symptoms or fever to stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms have improved. Health officials also recommend that individuals with respiratory illnesses test repeatedly for COVID-19, with at least 24 hours between tests, if the initial test is negative but the individual remains symptomatic. Testing for COVID-19 with an at-home antigen test is encouraged to help minimize the spread of the virus.

In response to guidance from PPHD and recent updates to California's health and safety requirements for workplaces, I write to share the Institute's current preventative health protocols, including guidance on the use of masks, importance of testing, and a requirement to report COVID-19 positive tests through Caltech's COVID-19 Reporting Application.

• Masks: Masks remain an effective measure to prevent the spread of infection. The use of masks is encouraged in indoor public spaces and other high-traffic areas, especially when one feels ill or is returning to campus activities after a recent COVID-19 infection. PPHD requires that individuals who test positive for COVID-19, even if asymptomatic, and those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, wear a well-fitting mask when around others for 10 days following their date of infection or exposure, unless they have two negative antigen tests taken 24 hours apart.
  
  Free masks are available to all members of the campus community at the Caltech bookstore; please be prepared to show a campus ID card when picking up masks.
  
• Testing: Home antigen test kits provide a rapid and convenient way to test for COVID-19 illness.  
  
  The Institute continues to make available to campus community members free, voluntary testing through a program administered by UCLA SwabSEQ. Collection kits for the tests, which are COVID-19 PCR diagnostic tests, are available for pick up Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Student Wellness Services, 1239 Arden Road, Pasadena, 91106. Follow the instructions on the kits for collection and submission of samples. The SwabSEQ program delivers test results via a participant's preferred method of text message or email. Test results are available in 24 to 48 hours. Test results are not reported to the Institute. Positive test results should be reported via Caltech's COVID-19 Reporting Application.
  
  Campus community members are encouraged to test for COVID-19 if they are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. 
  
• Reporting: Confirmed COVID-19 infections should be reported to Caltech's COVID-19 Reporting Application. Individuals are encouraged to report their illness to the application directly, or if they need assistance, an employee may request that their manager submit an illness report in application on their behalf. 
  
  Reporting known infections through the application supports the Institute's efforts to monitor the potential for spread of illness within the campus community and, when appropriate, to notify other community members of a potential exposure. As an employer, the Institute is required by state health and safety regulations to monitor for COVID-19 in the workplace and to mitigate the spread of disease. The Institute's SWS contact tracing program remains an important and effective tool to help manage the spread of illnesses.
  
• Isolation Protocols: Caltech follows PPHD best practices for community members recovering from illness. PPHD advises a symptom-based isolation protocol, where individuals are asked to stay home when most infectious to others. Infected individuals may return to campus and other activities once they are fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving. At the same time, community members are required, per PPHD guidelines, to wear a well-fitting mask when around others for up to 10 days or until they have two negative antigen tests taken one full day apart. 
  
  Students with symptoms can be seen at the Health Center or utilize Student Wellness Service's virtual on-demand medical service, TimelyCare.
  
  Symptomatic faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars should contact their care provider for care and assistance. 

In addition to the measures outlined above, please remember that practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and the use of a hand sanitizer, is also important. 

The health and safety of all members of the community is a priority. We will continue to monitor the public health situation and, as needed, will communicate updates to campus protocols. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance as we navigate this moment.

Beginning June 3, Caltech will implement revised COVID-19 isolation guidelines in accordance with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD). The updated guidelines use a symptom-based approach for determining when isolation for COVID-19 is required. Testing and wearing masks are still crucial for prevention and control, and both will continue to be available on campus.

Guidelines

The updated CDPH and PPHD guidelines no longer require asymptomatic COVID-positive individuals or those who are fever free with mild, improving symptoms to isolate at home, instead recommending a 10-day masking period.

• Caltech is aligning with these updated guidelines for students, faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and staff.
• Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and/or have symptoms of COVID-19 are instructed to stay home or isolate until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines and other symptoms are mild and improving. They must continue to wear a mask while around others for 10 days after testing positive or experiencing symptoms.
• Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but do NOT have any symptoms are not required to isolate. They are instructed to mask for 10 days after testing positive and should avoid contact with people at high risk for severe COVID-19 including the elderly and those with immunocompromising conditions.
• We encourage employees to utilize available paid leave time when unable to work. Employees can continue to work with their supervisors or managers to support remote work if appropriate for their job function and duties.
• We will continue providing COVID-19 testing through the campus surveillance testing program through UCLA SwabSEQ. Same-day symptomatic testing will also continue to be available through Student Wellness Services. Caltech community members can obtain masks at the Caltech Store.
• In addition, OSHA has changed the reporting requirement for COVID-19 cases. We no longer need to report every COVID-19 case to PPHD, OSHA, and our insurance carrier. We will continue to comply with cluster and outbreak reporting.
• The Caltech Together website is now the Covid-19 Information Center on the Student Wellness Services website. Please refer here for Covid-19 information and guidelines.

New Procedures

• COVID-19 reporting is now recommended for students and employees to ensure the Institute can provide informed guidance and mitigate any outbreaks among the campus community.
• Students will continue to work with Student Wellness Services regarding isolation recommendations (duration, release from isolation, and symptom management).
• Faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and staff will now work with their healthcare providers for isolation recommendations and should continue to follow Institute policies regarding illness and time away from work.

To: The Campus Community

From: Kevin M. Gilmartin, Vice President for Student Affairs
David A. Tirrell, Provost
Thomas F. Rosenbaum, President

Date: June 1, 2023

Re: Changes to Caltech's COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Effective, Monday, June 19, 2023, Caltech will end its current COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all Caltech employees and students. 

This decision aligns with local public health authority recommendations and state and federal health protocols. The Institute's COVID-19 vaccination requirement has been in effect since August 2021.

As of June 19, current and incoming students, faculty members, postdoctoral scholars, and staff members will no longer be required to provide proof of their full vaccination status or to have an approved exemption on file with the Institute. Consistent with this decision, contractors, temporary employees, campus affiliates, and other guests and visitors to campus will no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or to otherwise self-attest to their COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption status. 

Caltech encourages all members of the community to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with CDC guidelines. Vaccinations and boosters are safe and proven to be highly effective in reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death related to COVID-19.

The Institute will continue to monitor conditions on campus and in our broader community and will update campus health protocols as appropriate.
Please remember that all members of the campus community have access to

• free COVID-19 PCR tests through UCLA SwabSeq's voluntary community surveillance testing program.
• same-day, symptomatic testing through Student Wellness Services. Community members may request an appointment for symptomatic testing by calling 626-395-6393. While testing capacity may be limited, appointments are available 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
• free N95 and KN95 masks, which are available for pick up with a Caltech ID at the Caltech store.

Anyone who tests positive through the community surveillance testing program or another testing service must report their positive test result through the Caltech COVID-19 Reporting application. Promptly reporting positive test results through this application allows the COVID-19 Management Team to follow up as appropriate and assists Institute leadership in monitoring the spread of infection within the Caltech community. 

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation with the Institute's health protocols.