Brock University says it is currently dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 at its student residences, where 12 cases have been identified so far.
The news come shortly ahead of the planned vaccination site opening at university premises, which will begin immunizing Thorold and St Catharines residents.
A statement from Brock University on Friday afternoon said the outbreak seems to be 'specifically centered around social activities of students over the previous week,' and individuals who could have been exposed are now being contacted as contact tracing continues. The cases on the residences are self-isolating in specialized quarantine units set up by the university as a part of its plan to tackle the pandemic.
The discovery prompted the university to take swift action.
"After learning the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 went from one on Wednesday, March 24 to 10 on Thursday, Brock University moved from Brock Stage 2 (Control/Red) back to Brock Stage 1 (Lockdown/Grey), a move supported by Public Health," said a joint statement from Brock and Public Health.
The university is working closely with public health to manage the situation, and said it had shut down common spaces previously open to students to mitigate risk.
“Brock University has responded immediately to the outbreak on campus, and such swift action is key to controlling COVID-19 effectively,” said Acting Medical officer of Health, Mustafa Hirji in a comment.
“With COVID-19 resurgent once again in Ontario and Niagara, we can expect more outbreaks. I urge everyone to limit interaction with persons outside of your household to just those that are truly essential. Only by immediately redoubling our vigilance to limiting social contact can we avoid a devastating third wave.”
Both Brock and Public Health said they want to assure everyone that there has been no exposure to the upcoming vaccination clinic site.
"All of the vaccination clinics are operating with high standards of infection prevention given the vulnerable populations being vaccinated. The clinics also have screening and security at all times to ensure that only those who need to be present are permitted into the clinic area," the statement said.
Niagara reported 61 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.
