On October 19, Niagara College learned that two members of the Niagara College community have tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are currently in self-isolation as directed by Niagara Region Public Health, and last attended the Welland Campus on Wednesday, October 14.
Anyone deemed to be at risk will be contacted directly by Niagara Region Public Health with direction and guidance regarding next steps. If you are not contacted directly by Niagara Region Public Health, you are not considered to be at risk.
Please see below for important QAs for those attending the Welland Campus:
Is the campus safe?
Yes. Niagara College has implemented extensive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 at its facilities. This includes restricting access to approved employees and students with scheduled classes/labs only, mandatory daily health screenings for anyone accessing campus, enforced physical distancing, mandatory masks in common areas, modified spaces and enhanced cleaning.
Niagara College also follows the direction of Niagara Region Public Health with regards to the closing/disinfecting specific areas/rooms or modifying on campus activity when it’s determined that there has been a positive case on campus.
If more than one positive case has been at the Welland Campus on the same day, does that mean that there is an outbreak?
No. Niagara Region Public Health has not indicated that an outbreak has occurred at the Welland Campus. An outbreak is declared when it is believed that transmission likely occurred between two or more people within a facility. That is not believed to be the situation in this case.
What program/lab was the employee/student in?
Out of respect for privacy, Niagara College will not provide or confirm information that would identify an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. When there has been a positive case on campus, Niagara College will work directly with Niagara Region Public Health to ensure that anyone who is at risk of having been exposed is contacted directly and advised regarding next steps.
I was at the Welland Campus on October 14 – should I get tested?
If you are at risk of having been exposed to COVID-19, you will be contacted directly by Niagara Region Public Health and advised regarding next steps, including testing. If you have not been contacted directly by Niagara Region Public Health, then you have not been identified as being at risk.
Did the individual(s) pass the daily online health assessment required to be on campus?
Yes. It’s important to note that a person can test positive without experiencing symptoms, and can also be infectious to others before experiencing symptoms.
What is Niagara College doing to ensure the safety of its campuses?
Niagara College has implemented extensive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 at its facilities. This includes restricting access to approved employees and students with scheduled classes/labs only, mandatory daily health screenings for anyone accessing campus, enforced physical distancing, mandatory masks in common areas, modified spaces and enhanced cleaning. For more information, visit www.niagaracollege.ca/covid19
If you have questions about COVID-19, visit niagararegion.ca/COVID19, call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074, press 7, or chat online.
