COVID-19 Information Center
For questions or inquiries, contact the COVID-19 Management Team (CMT)
Current Institute Guidelines
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support. Caltech follows guidance from Pasadena Public Health for requirements related to respiratory illnesses and other communicable diseases. We also comply with all applicable OSHA workplace regulations.
Student Wellness Services (SWS) Contact Tracing remains available to assist with individual cases, and to monitor and support response efforts in the event of clusters or outbreaks. We encourage voluntary reporting to help maintain a healthy campus environment—supporting our community's ability to sustain in-person learning and research while addressing ongoing and emerging public health concerns.
Please note that test results from UCLA SwabSEQ or SWS are not reported identifying any individual's results. Individuals are responsible for self-reporting results via the COVID-19 reporting app.
A few reminders about current guidelines:
- Vaccination/Booster – Effective June 19, 2023: Caltech has ended its current COVID-19 vaccination requirement for Caltech employees and students.
- Masking – Effective April 17, 2023: Masks are voluntary in indoor spaces unless otherwise indicated. Free N95 and KN95 masks are available for pickup with a Caltech ID at the bookstore.
Testing Resources
For more information about on-campus testing resources, please visit the Testing Resources page.
COVID-19 Testing Closures:
The collection box will be closed on all Institute holidays:
- September 1st- Labor Day
Undergrad/Grad Students
The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recommends that individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms or fever stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms have noticeably improved.
To help identify the cause and reduce the spread of illness, health officials recommend that individuals with respiratory symptoms test for COVID-19, especially if symptoms persist. If the initial test is negative and symptoms continue, repeat testing is advised after at least 24 hours.
Using at-home antigen tests for COVID-19 is strongly encouraged as part of broader efforts to limit transmission of respiratory viruses in the community.
While awaiting results, it is recommended that you minimize contact with others and wear a mask if you must go out into the community.
Symptoms of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
The Institute has adopted updated respiratory illness guidelines in alignment with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD). These revisions reflect current best practices for reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses.
If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you stay home and minimize contact with others, including those in your household who are not sick. Common symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, and more*.
You may return to normal activities once the following conditions are met:
- You have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND
- Your other symptoms are mild and improving.
*For a full list of symptoms, please refer to the CDC guidelines.
When returning to normal activities, it is strongly recommended that you take extra precautions for the full 10 days following the start of your COVID-19 symptoms or positive test. This includes wearing a mask when indoors or around others, and practicing good hygiene. These measures are especially important to help protect individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from respiratory viruses.
Students are able to isolate in place within their residence, where they can rest and recover comfortably. You may pick up your meals while wearing a mask. If you're not feeling well enough to do so, please contact a friend, and only if urgent, your House RA, or your RLC for assistance.
If you need a cold care kit (which includes ibuprofen or acetaminophen and cough drops), you can pick one up from the vending machine located above Red Door in Hameetman or in person at the Student Health Center at 1239 Arden Rd.
Medical Care
If your symptoms are not improving or you have any medical concerns, please call the Student Health Center at (626) 395-6393 to schedule an appointment.
For after hours or weekend care, you may schedule a telehealth appointment with TimelyCare. This serves as a 24/7 virtual extension of our health and counseling services resources. It is free of charge for all enrolled students.
Read about self-care for respiratory symptoms.
A "close contact" is defined as someone who shared the same indoor airspace (e.g., small classrooms, labs, office) with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (does not have to be consecutive).
Guidelines for Post-Exposure:
- If you begin to feel sick with COVID-19 symptoms, please test immediately.
- If you do not have symptoms, are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection, and would benefit from treatment, test within 5 days.
- If you do not have symptoms and have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe infection, it is recommended that you mask indoors when around them for 10 days. Consider testing within 5 days after the last exposure prior to contact with higher-risk people. Testing is available on campus via the surveillance testing program.
Note: Day 0 is the last day of your last contact/exposure with the confirmed case and Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure.
Faculty, Staff & Postdocs
The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recommends that individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms or fever stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms have noticeably improved.
To help identify the cause and reduce the spread of illness, health officials recommend that individuals with respiratory symptoms test for COVID-19, especially if symptoms persist. If the initial test is negative and symptoms continue, repeat testing is advised after at least 24 hours.
Using at-home antigen tests for COVID-19 is strongly encouraged as part of broader efforts to limit transmission of respiratory viruses in the community.
You may test with a home antigen test or choose to contact your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
The Institute has adopted updated respiratory illness guidelines in alignment with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD). These revisions reflect current best practices for reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses.
If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that you stay home and minimize contact with others, including those in your household who are not sick. Common symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, and more*.
You may return to normal activities once the following conditions are met:
- You have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND
- Your other symptoms are mild and improving.
*For full list of symptoms, please refer to the CDC Guidelines
When returning to normal activities, it is strongly recommended that you take extra precautions for the full 10 days following the start of your COVID-19 symptoms or positive test. This includes wearing a mask when indoors or around others, and practicing good hygiene. These measures are especially important to help protect individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from respiratory viruses.
If you are unable to work due to illness, please notify your supervisor as soon as possible. You may also coordinate with your supervisor to arrange remote work, if appropriate for your job duties.
If you are experiencing more than mild symptoms, or if your symptoms are worsening, please consult your healthcare provider for guidance on when it is appropriate to return to work.
If you anticipate being out for more than five consecutive workdays, please contact the Disability and Leave Administration Unit (DLAU) at leaveunit@caltech.edu or call (626) 395-3092.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at (626) 395-3300.
A "close contact" is defined as someone who shared the same indoor airspace (e.g., small classrooms, labs, office) with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (does not have to be consecutive).
Guidelines for Post-Exposure:
- If you begin to feel sick with COVID-19 symptoms, please test immediately.
- If you do not have symptoms, are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection, and would benefit from treatment, test within 5 days.
- If you do not have symptoms and have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe infection, it is recommended that you mask indoors when around them for 10 days. Consider testing within 5 days after the last exposure prior to contact with higher-risk people. Testing is available on campus via the surveillance testing program.
Note: Day 0 is the last day of your last contact/exposure with the confirmed case and Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure.