8/3/2020 - Two New Positive Cases at the Children's Center at Caltech Reported; Also, a False Positive Case Reported

From: Jennifer Howes, Executive Director of Student Wellness Services
Re: Two New Positive Cases at the Children's Center at Caltech Reported; Also, a False Positive Case Reported

Caltech has been notified that two employees at the Children's Center at Caltech (CCC) have tested positive for COVID-19, marking three positive cases at that facility. In an unrelated development, a positive COVID-19 test result that had been reported last week has since been determined to be a likely false positive. Further details are below.

Two new positive cases

On July 30, we reported that a Children's Center at Caltech (CCC) employee who last reported to campus on July 27 had tested positive for COVID-19. In the past 24 hours, we have learned that two additional CCC employees have tested positive. One of these employees was last on campus on July 30; the other was last on campus on July 22.

Out of an abundance of caution, CCC has been closed for 14 days (starting 7/30/2020), with an expected reopening on Friday, August 14th. CCC is working with public health officials and the licensing board, and a case investigation is underway. CCC teachers will be re-tested in the days leading up to the reopening of the facility. 

False positive case

On July 28, we reported that three employees had informed Caltech that they had tested positive for COVID-19. One of these cases involved an individual who received regular COVID-19 testing off campus over a number of weeks; given this and the individual's asymptomatic status, additional case investigation was initiated. On August 1, we received notification that the individual had two subsequent negative tests, indicating high suspicion of a false positive result in the test results from July 27. This person's close contacts have also tested negative.

Based on public health criteria, an individual who has two negative test results 24 hours apart, subsequent to a positive result, may be cleared to return to regular activities. Student Wellness Services (SWS) continues to work closely with the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) to manage and respond to reported cases within our community. 

This update brings the total number of COVID-19 cases reported to Caltech within the last 14 days to nine. Individual health information is confidential and we ask all members of the community to be respectful of those privacy rights.

Please remember that we must all continue do our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19:

• Stay home if you are ill or have a fever;
• Use the Caltech COVID-19 Reporting application on the days you are scheduled to be on campus;
• Wear a cloth face covering; and
• Maintain appropriate physical distance from others on campus.

More information about Caltech's response to the pandemic can be found on the Caltech coronavirus webpage. Reports of illness, testing metrics, and confirmed case counts can be found on a dedicated dashboard that is updated by 2 p.m. PDT each weekday.