The grounds of Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 9, 2020. Picture taken September 9, 2020. (REUTERS/Carlos Osorio)
Chelsea Alphonso
Humber College has reported two cases of COVID-19 on campus, but has not said where exactly the cases occurred or what it would take to shut the school down.
In a statement on Wednesday on the college website, Humber said there were two positive COVID-19 cases between Sept. 21 – Sept. 27, but has not said which campus — North, Lakeshore, or Orangeville — was involved.
The health and safety of the Humber community is front and centre for all efforts at the college right now, Andrew Leopold the Director of Communications at Humber College told Humber News on Thursday.
“We’re really trying to make the campus a safe and welcoming environment for those who have to be on campus,” he said.
“Depending on the area that might be impacted, we might increase cleaning, for example,” he said, adding that “any cleaning protocols that are in place are in place regardless of the cases.”
Leopold said keeping the Humber community informed on the situation is a priority, but that the college will not share which of the three campuses had positive cases. Last week Mohawk College reported a positive case at its Stoney Creek campus.
Since the Fall semester began, Humber has provided extensive information online for students and employees.
Humber’s return to campus webpage said, “If Public Health determines there is a health and safety risk on campus due to a positive case of COVID-19, they will provide Humber with information and direction. The college will take appropriate steps to maintain health and safety on campus. Public Health will contact directly any individuals deemed to be at risk for coronavirus.”
As for what it will take to create additional restrictions on campus, Leopold said there is no clear number.
“Unlike what elementary schools or secondary schools are doing we’re not setting specific thresholds, rather we’re monitoring our college on a day-to-day basis.”
He said Humber has put in place a subcommittee called the COVID-19 watch group and also a health team that is in continuous communication with public health.
“We already have enhanced cleaning protocols in place around the college and we’ve done so throughout the last six or seven months.”
This information comes as Ontario on Thursday reported 538 new cases of COVID-19 and three new deaths.