The COVID-19 outbreak in the Gzowski College residence at Trent University in Peterborough does not appear to be related to an earlier outbreak at the Champlain College residence, according to an email sent by the university to all students on Friday (March 19).
Peterborough Public Health (PPH) declared the outbreak on Friday, but neither the health unit nor the university have provided any details on how many students at the residence have tested positive for COVID-19. On Friday, the health unit reported 15 new cases in the Peterborough region on Friday, with an increase of seven active cases.
“The university supports the actions of public health and is working with students in Gzowski College and across campus to ensure they comply with the measures being put in place to protect health and safety,” the university’s email to students reads. “PPH has confirmed this outbreak does not appear to be linked to the outbreak at the Champlain College residence, which remains in effect but is considered to be under control.”
Any students who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are symptomatic, and are currently residing on campus or have been identified as close contacts of someone with COVID-19, have been moved to the separate residence specially designated for isolation.
Trent University says students living in residence at Gzowski College who are asymptomatic and have not been identified as a direct contact of someone with a COVID-19 case will receive special support as they remain in residence and attend their classes remotely or online only. Students who are not contacted by the health unit or identified as a close contact are considered to be at low risk of infection.
The university also says the health unit will be issuing a Section 22 order prohibiting Gzowski College residents from leaving their rooms other than for the purpose of picking up food exclusively at the Otonabee College dining hall over the weekend. The dining hall will be closed to all other students and others on campus and, starting Monday, will be open seven days a week for exclusive use by Gzowski College residents.
Gzowski College students will also be prohibited from using other campus facilities such as the athletics centre, library, the student centre, and other spaces outside of their college. They will not be able to entertain guests or gather in residence or college common spaces.
“No individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or identified as high risk close contacts will leave isolation until advised by public health that it is safe to do so,” the university’s email reads. “Proactive surveillance testing has been arranged and will be conducted with all Gzowski College residents on Sunday, March 21.”
The university also says additional cleaning and sanitizing protocols have been added, and that residence students in Gzowski College have been sent a specific email with directions and have been connected with supports.
This is the third COVID-19 outbreak at a student residence in Peterborough in the past three weeks. An outbreak at the privately owned Severn Court Student Residence near Fleming College was declared on February 27 following a party held at the residence the week before, and an outbreak at Champlain College residence at Trent University was declared on March 4.
Several Trent University students had attended the Severn Court party and the index case for the Champlain College outbreak was connected to the Severn Court outbreak, which later claimed the life of a 31-year-old student who was hospitalized after becoming seriously ill.
