The University was recently informed that a graduate student conducting approved, essential time-sensitive research on campus tested positive for COVID-19.

The student was last on campus on June 10 and reported symptoms on June 13. Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health was consulted and completed a risk assessment of the case. The University’s Occupational Health and Wellness was also informed. Public Health determined that in this case there was no risk to anyone on the University campus.

While on campus, the student followed the University’s strict procedures for conducting approved, essential, time-sensitive research.

All approved, essential, time-sensitive research projects have research management plans to ensure the safety of those involved. These plans include maintaining a physical distance of two metres, ensuring low occupancy in research spaces, wearing a face covering, ensuring mandatory hygiene practices, including hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting of work areas after each shift and keeping record of research space use.

We want to assure you the University takes the health and safety of our community members very seriously. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the University has increased its cleaning of high-touch and high-traffic areas and installed additional hand sanitizer stations. To align with a recent order from Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health, the University requires all those who must be on University premises to wear a face covering when two metres of physical distancing cannot be maintained or predicted.

The University will continue to follow the guidelines from Public Health in maintaining a safe work environment.

For more information on U of G’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the University’s COVID-19 website.