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8 COVID cases at U of G mostly from gatherings off campus

Cases are not related to an outbreak, says Public Health
20210311 U of G COVID Vaccination Clinic KA 01
U of G vaccination clinic at University Centre. Kenneth Armstrong/GuelphToday file photo

As of Monday, the University of Guelph has eight active COVID-19 cases on campus that are not related to a campus outbreak. 

“Cases were spread mainly through private gatherings off campus,” said Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health spokesperson Danny Williamson.

Dates of confirmed cases range from March 31 to April 9. Williamson said none of the cases on campus are considered high-risk exposures. 

“At this point, we have not reviewed all of these cases to see if they are variants of concern, but with the growing prevalence of variants, all cases should be considered a risk for them,” said Williamson.

WDG Public Health reported 175 new COVID cases in Guelph from Friday to Monday morning which brings the total number of confirmed active cases in Guelph to 399. 

The U of G is currently following emergency and stay-at-home orders issued by the province. 

“Some of these measures include closing most university buildings to the public, limiting access to buildings to those who must be on campus to perform work duties and prohibiting visitors in campus residences,” said Deirdre Healey, communications coordinator at the U of G. 

Most university buildings are currently closed to the public including the Athletics Centre. Access to the University Centre is restricted to those with COVID-19 vaccination appointments and those visiting the pharmacy and chiropractic care in the building. 

In addition, while residences remain open, no visitors are permitted. 

Other U of G buildings have restricted access for faculty and students in face-to-face teaching and learning, to students living in campus residences, to people unable to perform work duties remotely and to faculty and researchers with an approved research management plan.

Those at U of G who meet the provincial guidelines for immunization are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The university expects to vaccinate 2,000 people per day at its peak. WDG Public Health expects that by early August, 75 per cent of the local population over the age of 16 will be vaccinated. 


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Anam Khan

About the Author: Anam Khan

Anam Khan is a journalist who covers numerous beats in Guelph and Wellington County that include politics, crime, features, environment and social justice
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