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COVID-19 update
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March 13, 2020 - 8:00 p.m. |
Dear students,
I am writing to provide an important update regarding Corpus Christi-St. Mark’s response to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The COVID-19 outbreak has presented an unprecedented situation for schools. With the health and safety of our community being a top priority, we have made the decision to move our classes online.
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all classes will be transitioned online for the remainder of the term.
- Information regarding exams will be shared next week.
- The College buildings will remain open but there will be no physical classes or events taking place.
- Faculty and staff members will continue their work. All staff will be available during regular work hours via email and phone.
- All discretionary events on campus currently scheduled until May 1, 2020 are being cancelled, postponed or offered virtually.
- Over the weekend all students will receive directions on how to access their courses online.
Our internal taskforce is exploring the potential to offer exams remotely and considering any potential impacts on events scheduled for after this term. These decisions will be shared as they become available.
We know these decisions will cause some disruption, and we apologize for that. We are working as quickly as possible to inform everyone in our community so they are prepared for Monday. We understand this shift in delivery will have a significant impact and you have many questions. I would ask for your patience as we seek to answer those questions.
To our faculty and staff who have been working tirelessly to ensure we are prepared to protect our community of learning and faith – thank you.
To our students, who are encountering situations of uncertainty and stress – we are here for you. We promise to support your academic journey during these unusual times. We always refer our Colleges as a “community” and that has never been truer than right now.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected]. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Sincerely,
Dr. Peter Meehan
President, Corpus Christi College
Principal, St. Mark's College at UBC
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March 13, 2020 – 2:30 p.m.
Countries around the world, including Canada, are working to contain the current outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with the virus as “low for Canada”.
As of March 12, 2020, The Office of the Provincial Medical Health Officer, BC Centre for Disease Control and Ministry of Health has advised the following:
- Students, faculty, staff or visitors who have travelled outside Canada (including the United States) after March 12should stay home or self-isolate for 14 days, immediately on their return. They should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).
- Students, faculty, staff or visitors who have been laboratory tested for COVID-19should stay home or self-isolate, until their test results are known.
- Students, faculty, staff or visitors who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by laboratory testingshould stay home or self-isolate for 14 days after their last encounter. Individuals should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).
- Students, faculty, staff or visitors who are experiencing cold of flu-like symptoms should stay home or self-isolate
A new toll-free phone line has also been established for Canadians (1 833 784 4397) to answer general questions about COVID-19.
The Office of the Provincial Medical Health Officer, BC Centre for Disease Control and Ministry of Health has also recommended the immediate cancellation or postponement until further notice of all events with more than 250 people in attendance.
In accordance with that recommendation, and as of March 13, 2020, our colleges are cancelling all non-essential on-campus and off-campus events that are organized by students, faculty and staff.
See the following sites for more information:
Vancouver Coastal Health — http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-coronavirus
Interior Health – https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/CommunicableDiseaseControl/Pages/Breaking-News-and-Info.aspx
Public Health Agency of Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
BC Centre for Disease Control — http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus
World Health Organization — https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
University of British Columbia - https://www.ubc.ca/campus-notifications/
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March 12, 2020
Students, faculty and staff of Corpus Christi College,
The global situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) is evolving quickly, with more than 100 countries, including Canada, reporting cases.
At this stage, the Public Health Agency of Canada continues to assess the risk for Canadians as low. However, we recognize the uncertain nature of this virus means you may have questions or concerns. As the areas affected by the outbreak change and we learn more about the virus, we will provide updated public health recommendations.
I can confirm there are no presumptive or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on our campus or on the UBC campus. The Colleges continue to be open for classes and regular operations.
It is our priority to protect our students, faculty and staff as best we can and to help them be informed. With that in mind, we have created a COVID-19 taskforce that meets to assess risk and can take quick action, if needed.
I can share the following updates with you that have come from meetings with the taskforce:
- We are prepared to move classes and exams online, in the event this is necessary.
- There is a team ready to assess any reported cases of COVID-19 contact among students, faculty or staff. They will investigate the case and follow proper protocol.
- The Colleges are open until further notice. In the event of a closure, all students will be contacted via email and notices will be posted online.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact [email protected].
Sincerely,
Dr. Peter Meehan
President, Corpus Christi College
Principal, St. Mark's College
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March 6, 2020
Students, faculty and staff of Corpus Christi College,
Please see below for an important update on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
There have been a small number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. which are being very closely managed. Updated information regarding these cases can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.
As the areas affected by the outbreak changes and we learn more about the virus, we will provide updated public health recommendations. We are now aware that this virus can cause a range of mild to severe symptoms, and it is possible that people will not recognize symptoms that are mild. Given this new information, there are steps that people at risk of COVID-19 can take to reduce the chance of spread to others.
Advice for students, faculty, or staff
We now recommend that:
- Students, faculty or staff who are not feeling well or are exhibiting symptoms of a cold, flu or COVID-19 should stay home. Individuals should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).
- Students, faculty, or staff returning from mainland China or who have been in contact with someone returning from China should stay home or self-isolate in their dorm/room alone for 14 days after they've left China. They should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).
- Students, faculty, or staff who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by laboratory testing should stay home or self-isolate in their dorm/room alone for 14 days after their last encounter. Individuals should monitor themselves daily for symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing).
If you are going to stay home, please contact your instructor, dean or director to let them know.
There are measures that all students, faculty, and staff can take to help reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses such as coronavirus, colds, and influenza:
- Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
- If a sink is not available, 60-90% alcohol-based hand rubs (hand sanitizer) can be used to clean hands if they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based disposable hand wipe to remove the dirt and then use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with unwashed hands.
- When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow, and then wash your hands.
- Stay home when you are ill.
The following advice is for people who are self-isolating. Students, faculty, or staff who are recommended to self-isolate under the guidance above should call 8-1-1 for additional advice. While self-isolating:
- Stay in a well-ventilated room, including an open window, if possible. Do not have other people come in the room.
- Do not attend classes. Limit going in shared spaces. Try to keep a two-metre distance between yourself and others whenever possible.
- Practice good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene.
- If possible, have supplies dropped off outside your door to help avoid direct contact, and limit the number of people helping to take care of you.
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Regular household cleaning products are effective against most viruses, and you can also use 1 part bleach to 9 parts water as an effective disinfectant.
- Use dedicated linen and utensils, which can be washed with soap and water and re-used, and do not need to be disposed of.
- Dispose of any tissues, wipes, masks, or gloves in a waste container lined with a plastic bag before disposing with other household waste.
- Wash your clothes in hot water (between 60-90 °C), and then thoroughly dry them.
Staying in isolation can be difficult and lonely. If you are isolated, keep contact with friends and family through phone or computer.
Additional information on COVID-19 is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.