Western University COVID-19 outbreak declared at student residence
Middlesex-London Health Unit had declared an outbreak at a Western University residence after several students reported testing positive for COVID-19.
In a news release issued on Thursday, there are currently eight confirmed positive cases in the Saugeen-Maitland Hall residence.
“The health and safety of our students and the campus community is our top priority,” said Chris Alleyne, Western’s associate vice-president of housing and ancillary services.
“We are supporting students who have tested positive with transportation, meals, access to medical and mental health support as needed, and academic accommodations as necessary.”
According to the university, every student living in Saugeen–Maitland Hall has been notified of the outbreak. Those who have tested positive and any close contacts have been moved to a quarantine location.
“We know this news may cause anxiety for our students and their families, and we want to assure them that we are here for them. We have extensive plans in place to support them however we can,” said Jennifer Massey, associate vice-president of student experience.
Despite efforts to combat the spread of the virus, earlier this month, it was reported that police in the region laid charges against two people after hosting a large Halloween party near the Western University campus.
According to London Police Service, early in the evening of October 31, they received information that a large number of people were in attendance at a residence on Beaufort Street.
When the police arrived, they determined that over 100 people were in attendance and after an investigation, they lay charges resulting in a $10,000 fine.
At this time, the university is taking direction from the MLHU and is working with officials on contact tracing.
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