A Carleton University employee has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the first case to be linked to the university.
In an email sent out to students on March 31, university president Benoit-Antoine Bacon said the school was first made aware late at night on March 30.
The university chose not to share the identity of the employee out of privacy, according to Bacon.
“Even if we could all anticipate that the virus would one day directly reach our community, it is unsettling to know that this day has arrived,” the email reads.
“We have reached out to offer support, and would like to reassure everyone that our colleague is receiving appropriate medical attention and care,” Bacon said.
Health and Counselling Services, in accordance with Ottawa Public Health protocols, will be reaching out to anyone who may have had contact with the affected employee in the past 14 days, according to the statement.
Despite the diagnosis, Bacon noted the school’s decision to move classes online and have most university employees work remotely has limited the amount of close contact among members of the community.
Bacon also said the university will not be reporting specifically on all future cases, but will update Carleton’s COVID-19 website as needed.
Featured image from file.
