COVID-19 Community Update – November 30, 2020

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Pepperdine Community Case Update

In accordance with NCAA, conference, and state testing protocols, all basketball players and coaches receive regular surveillance testing. Yesterday, two members of the women’s basketball team and staff tested positive for COVID-19 using an antigen test, which prompted the cancellation of yesterday’s game against UCLA. As an additional precaution, both were isolated. However, because neither individual had tested positive during the University’s regular testing protocol, which uses more accurate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the University suspected the antigen tests may have yielded false positives. Both individuals were tested again on Sunday using PCR tests and those results arrived this morning showing both individuals were negative for COVID-19.

As Pepperdine continues with remote operations for faculty, staff, and students, the University will continue to provide potential exposure notifications to impacted community members and update the Pepperdine COVID-19 dashboard as cases are reported within the community. 

Los Angeles County Safer At Home Order

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Los Angeles County, effective today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a new Temporary Targeted Safer At Home Order, which remains in effect for the next three weeks. The order contains several new restrictions applicable to members of the Pepperdine community residing on campus and in the county, including the following: 

  • Prohibiting all public and private gatherings and events with people from more than one household except for outdoor faith-based services and outdoor protests
  • Closing shared public playgrounds, pools serving more than one household, and non-residential hot tubs
  • Closing restaurants for on-site dining, either indoor or outdoor 
  • Encouraging all persons who can work remotely to continue to do so as much as possible during the pandemic

California COVID-19 Updates

In a briefing today, California governor Gavin Newsom announced the state is closely monitoring the recent acceleration of COVID-19 cases and their corresponding impact on hospitalizations and intensive care unit occupancy. To ensure the state does not run out of hospital capacity, the governor indicated counties currently categorized as Tier 1 (Purple) in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, including Los Angeles and Orange counties, may be put under stay-at-home orders if hospital capacity continues to shrink.   

As always, the University encourages all students, faculty, and staff to stay informed and follow the guidance and direction of local authorities. The latest information is available on the University’s COVID-19 website and Emergency Information Page. If you have questions, please contact Pepperdine’s COVID-19 Information Line at 310.506.8111 or via email at covid19info@pepperdine.edu.

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