Student Tests Negative for COVID-19

To: The Caltech Community
From: Thomas F. Rosenbaum, President and David A. Tirrell, Provost
Date: March 11, 2020
Re:  

The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) notified Caltech today that the results for the graduate student who was tested Monday for COVID-19 were negative. The student has been self-isolated in off-campus housing since the weekend and is recovering.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases on the Caltech campus. PPHD did confirm its first positive case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, but has said that the case is unrelated to Caltech's graduate student.

Given the growing number of cases in Los Angeles and in California, as well as increased testing availability and frequency, we must be prepared for a confirmed case to be present in the Caltech community. Caltech may not be able to provide ongoing updates about every individual who is being tested, but as we are made aware of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 among members of our community, we will work closely with local public health officials to keep you informed of the situation and to mitigate the spread of the disease. 

In the meantime, the infectious disease task group continues to work across campus to implement plans and preventative measures that will protect the safety and well-being of the campus community and ensure the continuity of research and education. 

We appreciate your help as we manage this evolving situation. We will monitor developments on campus and in the community, and will provide regular updates via email and Caltech's COVID-19 Information Page.