A student at the University of Victoria has tested positive for COVID-19, the university’s first confirmed case of the virus.
In a statement posted on UVic’s website, president Jamie Cassels said the “individual is an upper-level student who lives off campus and is recovering at home with good care. I know you join me in wishing them a speedy return to good health.”
The university said it was notified by the student on Wednesday afternoon and it “responded immediately.”
UVic said it has been in contact with the student, who expects to complete courses.
“With a campus population of nearly 30,000 people and as the number of cases in B.C. continues to grow, it was not unexpected that at some point a member of our community would contract the virus,” Cassels said.
Senior university staff are working with and following the lead of local medical officials, who are tracing and notifying those who might have had close contact with the individual.
UVic said Island Health completed an assessment and concluded that the risk of transmission was low and restricted to those who might have had contact with the student at the university in three specific third-year classes on March 12:
• Psychology 300B A01, beginning at 11 a.m.
• Psychology 351B A01, beginning at 1 p.m.
• Biology 367 A01, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The health authority said anyone who was at the swimming pool at Commonwealth Place between 5 and 7 p.m. on March 12 or attended a kickboxing class between 8:15 and 9:15 a.m. on March 15 might also have been exposed.
Other areas of the rec centre were not affected, the health authority said.
People who might have been exposed to the virus are advised to monitor themselves closely for symptoms including coughing, sneezing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should self-isolate for 14 days after the symptoms start. — Times Colonist
