Caltech Reinstates Indoor Masking, Suspends Large Gatherings After COVID-19 Cases Spike on Campus

Caltech announced it has reinstated its Universal Indoor Masking policy, which requires everyone to wear high-quality masks (such as surgical, N95, KN95, or KF95 masks) in all indoor locations on campus after the Institute recently recorded “elevated rates” of COVID-19 infections.

“In the last two weeks, 62 cases have been reported among students and employees, with as many as 42 students living in campus residences having reported a new infection through either symptomatic testing or the twice-weekly surveillance testing program,” Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum said in a message for the Caltech community published Thursday. The message was also sourced from the offices of Kevin M. Gilmartin, Caltech Vice President for Student Affairs, and David A. Tirrell, Provost.

Caltech is also suspended all large social gatherings on campus as of Friday, in order to scale back high-risk social engagements.

“Until further notice, indoor social events on campus that bring together more than 50 people should be postponed where possible,” the message said. “Anyone planning such an event should consult with their division chair or administrative vice president to determine whether alternate plans or modifications can be made to enhance health and safety measures.”

The suspension will not apply to lectures, performances, or other official events held in campus event spaces such as the Institute’s main auditoriums or Athenaeum where additional health and safety protocols are in place, the message added.

The rise in COVID-19 infections among the Caltech community coincided with the reported arrival this spring of the highly infectious BA.2 subvariant in Los Angeles County and a return to routine social activities.

Caltech also called on anyone in the campus community feeling ill or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 to report their condition your illness through the Institute’s COVID-19 reporting application, https://access.caltech.edu, and to refrain from coming to campus or interacting with others until a negative test result for COVID-19 is obtained or symptoms have been resolved.

Caltech said its Student Wellness Services (SWS) office will offer testing for symptomatic individuals who report through the app, but advised symptomatic individuals to not rely solely on the surveillance testing program to confirm their status.

“Under our current circumstances, all of us must take extra precautions to protect the health and well-being of our community,” the message said. “With your support, we hope to pass this phase of the pandemic quickly and resume the full range of activities and social interactions that we all value and enjoy.”