One positive COVID-19 case in King's residence, Three-Layer Masks implemented

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

I am reaching out to you with the unfortunate news that we have a positive case of COVID-19 in our residence community at King’s. The student self-reported to our residence office on March 31, 2021, and has been moved into a designated quarantine unit. Our residence team is assisting the student with food services and other supports.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is now conducting contact tracing and will be advising any individual who may need to be tested. I strongly encourage anyone who is experiencing symptoms to be tested without delay. Western’s COVID-19 testing centre in the Western Student Recreation Centre is open Thursday, April 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, April 2 to Saturday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Registered students and current employees can schedule an appointment in advance using the online booking tool. Walk-ins for the Western community are also welcome.

Our staff are taking all necessary steps including working with the MLHU on this matter to ensure, the best we can, the health and safety of our campus. I can assure you that all procedures and protocols are being followed as per our plans for this scenario.

As you’re all aware by now, the Middlesex-London region has moved back to the Red Zone of Ontario’s COVID-19 Framework due to rising case counts. In tandem with Western University, King’s is implementing a new mask protocol to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Just as required on Western’s campus, everyone on King’s campus must also wear a three-layer non-medical mask, rather than cloth masks, indoors and in the presence of others. We also require employees working within six feet of each other to wear a face shield, as an added protective measure. This new mask protocol will be implemented as of April 7, 2021. We will have an ample supply of three-layer non-medical masks to make available to our community. We have distributed these masks to our residence students so they can begin wearing them.

We will have several distribution points on campus for the three-layer non-medical masks:

·        Central Services in Wemple Building

·        Security Office in the Darryl J. King Student Life Centre

·        The King’s Connection shop in the Darryl J. King Student Life Centre

King’s employees who are working on campus will receive masks directly in their departments.

King’s has always taken, and will continue to take, full direction from the Middlesex-London Health Unit, and will pivot as necessary. We also have counselling supports available for our students and employees.

As I’ve previously stated, what will drive the success of all of our safety measures during the pandemic is a culture of care and respect. King’s culture means caring for each other, wearing a mask, keeping social distance, staying home if you are not well, wash your hands and being compassionate for the many challenges we face. Please take the COVID-19 self-assessment before coming to campus. As this long Easter weekend approaches, please share the responsibility of curbing the pandemic by staying inside your own household. I am optimistic that we will soon be on the other side of this if we can just stay the course a while longer.

Thank you to everyone in the King’s community who continue to think beyond themselves in keeping us safe.

As always, take care of yourself, wear a mask to take care of each other, and we will continue to take care of this place together.