MLHU declares King's Commons outbreak over

April 19, 2021 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Update: The Middlesex-London Health Unit declared the COVID-19 outbreak at King's Common over, as of April 18, 2021.

 

A message from Dr. David Malloy, King's Principal:

As the rapid arrival of new variants of COVD-19 emerge in London, it is with growing concern for the health of our community that I advise you of an outbreak within our Residence community. We have been made aware of seven positive cases in students under the care of King’s Residence at King’s Commons, which is our upper-year apartment style residences on Richmond Street. We worked with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, which conducted contact tracing, and an outbreak has been declared today by the Health Unit. The positive cases are in quarantine and the students are being supported by our Residence team. In all cases, when students self-report to us, we offer them support and also follow our protocols. Our residences remain open.

Now is not the time to socialize with others. The variants of concern are making younger people sick, and are much more transmissible. Please continue to practice health and safety protocols: significantly limit your contacts, physically distance from others, wash your hands and wear three-layer masks. We want to assure you that anyone in the King’s community who tests positive for COVID-19 does not face any negative consequences. In fact, the opposite occurs in that we do all we can to support students or employees.

As you know by now, the province of Ontario implemented a state of emergency declaration and the province-wide, stay-at-home order effective April 8, 2021 for 28 days. The impact on King’s is that we have closed all access to buildings on campus, except for Residence, the Thames Market for pick-up and Central Services by appointment. The library is offering exterior curb-side pick-up and virtual resources. The closure of King’s buildings also includes the closure of on-site sports facilities. If you must return to campus, you need to alert King’s security in advance so that they can properly clean the areas that you have visited.

I know this is not how we wanted to end our academic year, especially for our graduating students who were wanting to present their research projects. Thank you all for the continued sacrifices you are making.

I cannot stress enough how important it is now for all of us to share the responsibility of fighting the spread of the virus. Please stay within your household as best you can. Please avoid unnecessary excursions or travel. If you think you have been exposed to the virus or have symptoms, please visit Western’s COVID-19 testing centre. Registered students and current employees can schedule an appointment in advance using the online booking tool. 

  • Friday, April 9: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 10: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 11: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Monday, April 12: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 13: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 14: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

We have come so far together with very few cases. I do want to again acknowledge the work of the Residence team and Physical Plant who have done amazing work for us this year. Now, with only two days left of classes and then exams, I urge you to not let your guard down. This is hard work and if you need support, please know we have counselling for students and staff.

For students:

For all employees:

Thank you all and please take care of yourselves, each other and know that this place is being taken care of until we can return fully to it as a community.