As of Monday morning 32 positive COVID-19 cases have been traced to a pair of gatherings on the University of Guelph campus earlier this month.
The school also says it is in the process of issuing fines for those that attended the gathering.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health declared an outbreak on campus last week after seven people tested positive for COVID-19. Public Health confirmed Monday that number has now risen to 32.
The positive cases are connected to social gatherings held in the East Village Townhouse on Jan. 15 and Jan 16.
Deirdre Healey, communications coordinator at U of G, said there were approximately 50 students at the gatherings last week.
She added that the initial fine for violating university COVID-19 protocols, which includes unsanctioned gatherings on campus, is $120. Fines are issued by the Campus Community Police.
“However, under the non-academic misconduct policy, the penalties can range from the $120 fine to a fine of up to $1,000 and a recommendation of suspension by a Judicial Committee depending on the circumstance and whether it is a first offence,” said Healey in an email.
She said the university first learned about a positive case in East Village Townhouse on the evening of Jan 20. The Campus Community Police and Residence Life then responded to the gatherings.
“The student who tested positive immediately began isolating and the university began working with Public Health in assessing the situation and conducting contact tracing,” said Healey.
She said the university informed students in residence of the outbreak the next day.
“Those who attended gatherings on Jan. 15 and 16 at the East Village townhouses were told to immediately isolate, get tested and monitor for COVID-19 symptoms,” said Healey.
“Those who were not experiencing symptoms but attended any gatherings on Jan. 15 and 16 at the East Village townhouses were told to isolate for 14 days from the date of the gathering as a precaution.”
Healey said students who tested positive are currently isolating and student housing is cohorting students who have a confirmed positive result.
Students have their meals delivered to their room and Residence Life Staff daily checks in on the students.
“They can also still participate in virtual activities organized by student housing to help maintain a connection with residence life,” said Healey.
“The university has strict safety measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our residences. These measures are reinforced by our Residence Community Living Standards and Residence Contract.
“Students must maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when they leave their rooms and not gather in each other’s rooms. Lounges are closed and all washrooms are single use only. No visitors allowed in any of the residence spaces,” said Healey.
“Residence assistants monitor for compliance and campus police address issues of unsanctioned gatherings. Cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas have been significantly increased since the onset of the pandemic.”
Students are also required to complete a screening form every day before arriving on campus.
Healey said despite new students entering residence in January, the number of students in residence is still significantly reduced due to the pandemic and plans to increase residence capacity were developed with guidance and advice from Public Health.
Healey said all students living on campus are living in single rooms and washrooms are limited to one person at a time.
“Before new students entered residence in January, they were instructed to stay home if they were feeling ill and to complete the university’s COVID-19 screening form daily and follow its direction. During residence orientation and afterward, students were reminded of the importance of maintaining physical distance and not gathering with others,” said Healey.
She said new students who did not move in by the time the stay-at-home order was in place are not permitted to join the residence community until the order is lifted.
“It is important to note that the outbreak is the result of students not abiding by provincial health and safety guidelines and protocols that were clearly communicated to them,” said Healey.
