Four students test positive in COVID-19 outbreak at Western University residence

LONDON, Ont. — A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at a Western University residence where four students have tested positive for the illness.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit declared the COVID-19 outbreak at the residence where the four live on Sunday.

The four students have been isolating outside of residence, according to a statement from the school.

The associate vice-president of housing at the London, Ont. university said meals are being delivered to the students and staff are in regular contact with them.

“We know this may be concerning for our students,” Chris Alleyne said in a statement from the university Sunday. “We have extensive plans in place to support them through this.”

Alleyne said some close contacts of the four students have also been moved to a quarantine location as a precaution.

Students who live in the residence, London Hall, were being notified of the outbreak.

The public health unit said it is following up with close contacts and advising them to quarantine and get tested.

“This outbreak highlights the need to limit close contact to only those within your dorm room, maintain two metres physical distance, wear a mask and stay home or in your suite if you feel unwell,” associate medical officer of health Dr. Alex Summers said in a Sunday statement.

It’s the latest outbreak among the student population at Western since classes resumed this fall.

In September, the health unit declared two COVID-19 outbreaks among students who lived off campus. Dozens of students tested positive.

The university scaled back its reopening plan at the time, shutting down non-academic, in-person activities such as clubs and athletics.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2020.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. 2020.