MEMORANDUM

To:            The Dalhousie University community

From:        Frank Harvey, Provost and Vice-President Academic (Acting)

Date:        Monday, August 31, 2020

Re:           Probable COVID-19 case identified

Nova Scotia Public Health has informed Dalhousie University of a probable COVID-19 case among our student community living off-campus in Halifax. The probable case is not linked with our residence community.

The student has received indeterminate test results through the COVID-19 testing required by the Province of Nova Scotia for students entering the province from outside Atlantic Canada. Based on public health assessment it is being treated as though it is a lab-confirmed positive to ensure all precautions are taken. The student, who is currently self-isolating as required, will be tested again before their 14-day self-isolation period is finished, as part of the testing strategy for post-secondary students.

Public Health has already been in contact with individuals that may be affected through contact tracing and have provided instructions to self-isolate. If you have not been contacted by Public Health, you are NOT considered to have been exposed.

Respecting both privacy and public health matters, this is as much information as we can share broadly. As a reminder, our Student Health and Wellness teams on both our Halifax and Truro campuses are available to support our students. We encourage students to connect with us so we can support them through their recovery at 902-494-2171 (Halifax) and 902-893-6369 (Truro).

It is vital that everyone follows health and safety protocols designed to keep our community safe. This is a shared responsibility that requires all of us to follow rules including self-isolating when required, practising social distancing, wearing a mask in indoor shared spaces, practising good hygiene and other measures that help limit the spread of COVID-19.

In following up on a case of COVID-19, Nova Scotia Public Health will:

• Consult with the individual to understand contact points and directs the individual to self- isolate for 14 days.
• Contact those who were in close proximity with the individual to inform them of the potential connection and that they should also self-isolate for 14 days.
• Recommend that those contacted continue to monitor their health for symptoms and take appropriate action if concerns arise by calling 811 for assessment.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this situation. We recognize the anxiety and uncertainty this news may create for members of our community, but the identification of this probable case through scheduled testing reinforces the vital importance of following the Province's testing and self-isolation directives and our shared efforts to keep our community safe. For more information on COVID-19, visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/. For more information on the Dalhousie’s response to COVID-19 visit: https://www.dal.ca/covid-19-information-and-updates.html

Sincerely, 

Frank

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Frank P. Harvey  
Provost and Vice-President Academic (Acting)  
Eric Dennis Memorial Chair of Government and Politics  
Dalhousie University  

Dalhousie sits on the Traditional Territory of the Mi'kmaq. We are all Treaty People.