Amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia, Wellness at Penn is advising the community to exercise caution and take preventive measures. The organization will host its annual flu clinic from October 16 to 18 at the David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.

According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, COVID-19 levels in wastewater have been rising since spring at all three city treatment plants. The CDC reports that Pennsylvania’s viral activity is “high,” with infections “likely growing” based on wastewater data, the most reliable method currently available due to underreporting of cases.

Ashlee Halbritter, Wellness at Penn’s executive director of public health and wellbeing, noted that the summer COVID-19 spike is evident in national and local health data, and Penn’s campus is no exception. “We are entering the time of year where we start to see illnesses in students,” Halbritter said. “Please take care of yourselves, and each other, by staying home when symptomatic and masking around others.”

In March, the CDC and Wellness at Penn updated their COVID-19 guidelines, aligning them with protocols for other respiratory infections. The University’s current guidance advises those with symptoms or positive tests to stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms improve. Masking is encouraged when returning to activities.

Rebecca Huxta, director of public health at Wellness at Penn, emphasized the importance of students staying in their residences and wearing masks in common spaces if they test positive. She advised avoiding group dining and using the sick meal policy through Penn Dining.

COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia have risen this summer, unlike the previous two years when cases decreased. Experts attribute this to new, more infectious variants and low vaccination rates. Only 25% of Philadelphians over 18 have received the latest vaccines, which are designed to protect against newer variants.

Despite COVID-19 being described as endemic by the CDC, epidemiologists caution that the virus remains unpredictable. Neil Fishman, chief medical officer of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, suggested it could take several years before COVID-19 becomes a seasonal illness.

In response to the rising cases, President Biden’s administration is relaunching the free COVID-19 test program this September, allowing Americans to order four free tests by mail. Wellness at Penn also provides free at-home tests to students at the Student Health and Counseling office, located at 3535 Market Street.