Health unit declares COVID-19 outbreak at Western's Delaware Hall residence
CBC
The Middlesex-London Health Unit has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the Delaware Hall residence at Western University.
The health unit said on Sunday that there are eight confirmed positive cases in the residence. It is the second outbreak at the school this fall, following an outbreak at Saugeen-Maitland Hall residence declared on Nov. 28.
The university says it's taking direction from the health unit and collaborating with officials on contact tracing. Close contacts in Delaware Hall have been notified and are self-isolating.
"We want to assure our students and their families that we have extensive plans in place to support them," said Chris Alleyne, Western's associate vice-president of housing and ancillary services, in a statement.
"We are also working closely with health unit officials to ensure proper precautions are being taken to minimize further risk of transmission."
All employees and residents of Delaware Hall are being asked to self-monitor for symptoms and get tested if any develop, regardless of vaccination status.
Western University and its affiliates — Brescia, Huron, and King's university colleges — mandated vaccines for staff, students and faculty who arrived on campus on Aug. 26.
Officials say the school's community has a vaccination rate of about 99 per cent, and that people have been diligent in wearing masks, completing daily health screenings, and staying home when unwell.
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