Toronto Public Library reports 10 COVID-19 cases since reopening

Since reopening, the Toronto Public Library has had a total of 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date among employees and visitors.

In an email to Daily Hive, the TPL has confirmed five employees and five visitors have tested positive for the virus and had been on their premises.

The locations include Lillian H. Smith, Richview, Guildwood, Goldhawk Park, Maria A. Shchuka, Northern District, St. Lawrence, and Toronto Reference Library

“TPL’s COVID Exposure protocols have been developed in consultation with Toronto Public Health and follow the advice of the Toronto Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts,” said a TPL spokesperson.

Affected employees were instructed to self-isolate and stayed home for 14 days.

Since August 10, Toronto libraries allowed pickups for scheduled and unscheduled holds, inside the library branch. Dropbox returns and scheduled in-branch computer access also became available on August 10.

And as of August 24, visitors were able to browse and borrow items, connect and use Wi-Fi, work or study, print, scan, and photocopy, and access quick reference services.

See Also:
- Here’s how the Toronto Public Library is currently operating

“Any individuals who we know have come into close contact with a COVID positive person at a TPL location are notified and are also instructed to self-isolate,” said the TPL.

According to the Toronto Public Library, any individual that is affected by the virus and was last at a TPL location within three days of showing symptoms, the location is then closed for a deep sanitization.

This story originally stated 18 COVID-19 cases, as per the TPL. They issued a correction, and that is reflected in the story.