Case tracking: COVID outbreak at Claudette Millar Hall includes four cases

Update November 17: Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services has declared the outbreak at Claudette Millar Hall officially over. It will be removed from their dashboard of active outbreaks.

Since Friday, November 5, 2020, Region of Waterloo public health informed us of a total of four people on our campus who have tested positive for COVID-19. We confirmed the following cases: 

• one individual tested positive on Friday, November 5, 
• two individuals tested positive on Monday, November 9, 
• a separate individual also tested positive on Monday, November 9. 

Upon further investigation, public health officials today confirmed that all of these individuals are related to an outbreak of COVID-19 in Claudette Millar Hall. All of the individuals are self-isolating and our residence teams are supporting the students affected.

Public health is not reporting any new cases related to the outbreak today. The total number of people who have tested positive and that visited campus in the last 14 days remains at four.

Public health officials are continuing to monitor the outbreak and are in touch with all high-risk contacts. Residents who are experiencing symptoms, are concerned about exposure, have been identified as a high-risk contact, or have received advice to self-isolate can contact reslifeteam@uwaterloo.ca or the appropriate college residence team for support.

If you do not hear from public health officials, you should continue to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and seek testing if needed. Public health officials have not identified a risk to members of the public.

If you have any concerns you can contact the Campus Housing team for support.

University of Waterloo has robust protocols to manage COVID-19 cases on campus and in residence. Our Campus Housing team developed the procedures in consultation with public health and the Safety Office to protect the safety of our community. We maintain cleaning and disinfection that exceeds public health requirements.

Learn more about what happens when someone is sick in residence from our Residence Life Manager, Kristen Leal.

We are reminding our community that every student and employee has an important part to play in limiting the risk of COVID-19. It is up to  everyone to follow public health guidance and to respect each other as we share the space on our campus.  Please continue to follow signage, adhere to the policies on guests and mask wearing. Always follow social distancing and hand hygiene recommendations.

COVID-19 testing is available for University students, employees, postdocs and family members living in the same household. To book a test, please use the online registration form.

We take the privacy of individuals extremely seriously. In reporting on positive cases, the University will protect the private health information of individuals. You should  check our disclosure protocol  for what to do if someone  reveals to you that they have tested positive for COVID-19.