COVID-19 cases at Victoria university, private school on Island

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – The University of Victoria and a private school on Vancouver Island both have confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Island Health is also warning about coronavirus exposure at a swimming pool and a kickboxing class.

University of Victoria President Jamie Cassels confirmed on the school’s website that a community member tested positive for coronavirus.

“Island Health says risk of community transmission is low for those who attended three specific third-year classes on March 12,” says the website.

St. Michaels University School in Victoria also has a confirmed case of the virus.

In a letter to parents, faculty and staff Thursday, Andy Redford, deputy head of the school, said a senior school student has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“Evidently, he contracted it at home within his family and was unlikely to be infectious during his last days at school.”

Redford says Island Health informed the school of the positive test.

“With this awareness, we hope that you will increase your vigilant approach to excellent hygiene and social distancing,” he adds.

“Although this new information brings this health concern closer to home, the school remains confident in its ongoing strategies and precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus and to ensuring its main priority: the safety and welfare of our students, faculty and staff.”

Island Health is notifying people who attended three classes at the University of Victoria on March 12, as well as those who attended the swimming pool at Saanich Commonwealth Place the same day, along with people who attended a kickboxing class as Saanich Commonwealth Place on March 15 about possible coronavirus exposures.

People who attended the following classes at the University of Victoria on March 12 may have been exposed to COVID-19:

• Psych 300B A01, beginning at 11 a.m.;
• Psych 351B A01, beginning at 1 p.m.;
• Biol 367 A01, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

An Island Heath medical health officer has completed a risk assessment and concluded that the risk was low to people who attended post-secondary classes, as well as the pool and kickboxing classes, but advised to monitor for symptoms.

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