St. FX cancels all in-person exams after COVID-19 outbreak forces students to isolate
CBC
St. Francis Xavier University announced it has cancelled all in-person exams after Nova Scotia changed its COVID-19 isolation policy amid an ongoing outbreak in the area.
On Friday, the province announced another 55 cases at the Antigonish, N.S., school, for a total of 114 cases connected to the outbreak.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, said that given the increase in cases and the high number of recent exposures, all close contacts of positive cases must now isolate until they receive a negative PCR test, regardless of vaccination status.
Previously, people who were fully vaccinated didn't have to isolate if they were exposed.
"For clarity, Public Health reiterated that in-person exams are safe; however, this new province-wide change will almost assuredly increase the number of students required to isolate and test, affecting their ability to attend an in-person exam," Timothy Hynes, the academic vice-president, said in a news release late Friday.
Hynes said staff and faculty of the university will likely be affected as well.
Instead of in-person exams, the university is now asking professors to change to online or take-home exams starting Saturday.
Professors and students can also choose to defer their exams until January if necessary.
"I recognize and regret that the decision to convert to online exams with such little notice may cause additional stress and challenge at an already stressful and challenging time," Hynes said.
"However, it is important to comply with this latest directive from Public Health officials and continue to follow their lead."
In a statement to CBC News on Friday, a spokesperson for the university said isolating or infected students who have roommates or live in residence buildings with shared washrooms will be moved to a "designed apartment" on campus where they will have meals delivered.
A nurse with St. FX Health and Counselling will also check in with the students daily to monitor their illness.
The spokesperson said off-campus students who are isolating will have their groceries and other necessities delivered through the school's Neighbours Helping Neighbours Program.
On Saturday, Public Health said it is actively investigating the COVID-19 outbreak associated with the university and the weekend's X-Ring celebrations.