COVID-19 Update for Nov. 23: Active cases of COVID-19

Posted: Nov 23, 2020 8:56 PM   |  Updated: Dec 3, 2020 9:29 AM

Update: As of Dec. 3, 2020, all members of the NAIT men's hockey team who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered, and the other members of the cohort have completed their quarantine.

On Nov. 23, NAIT Health Services confirmed that 4 members of  the men's hockey team tested positive for COVID-19.  Based on case reporting, we are proceeding with the assumption that these cases may be linked, although this has not been confirmed by Alberta Health Services.

On Nov. 27, NAIT Health Services confirmed that another member of the men’s hockey team has tested positive. Based on case reporting, we are proceeding with the assumption that 4 of these cases may be linked. This individual has been in quarantine along with the rest of the team, and the risk to the campus community remains low.

All confirmed cases are currently isolating and following direction of Alberta Health Services. To protect the individuals’ privacy, we will not be releasing any further information that could lead to their identification.

The individuals who later tested positive were last on campus on Nov. 18 in NAIT's Arena. As a result, 30 members of our community, including those who tested positive, have been required to isolate for 14 days and get tested.

All members of our community who may be impacted by these active cases have been contacted directly. Supports for learning and working have been arranged while individuals are required to isolate at home. As a precaution, NAIT has also suspended all men’s hockey activities for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year. 

We wish these individuals, as well as other members of our community who have tested positive, a speedy recovery.  

Keeping our community safe

Although we have identified what may be linked cases, we want to reassure you that the risk to the campus community remains low. 

We have put in place enhanced measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 on our campuses, including the use of face masks and face shields, as well as additional cleaning and sanitation, and have a rapid response plan to guide our response to cases of COVID-19 at NAIT. 

Safety on campus is a shared responsibility. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to keep our community safe by following all safety measures at NAIT and provincial direction.

Screening for illness is an essential part of NAIT’s strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19. If you are sick or showing any core symptoms of COVID-19, you must follow the provincial isolation and quarantine requirements. Please do not come to campus – NAIT will arrange for learning and work supports throughout your absence.

When on campus, remember to:   

• Check in each day and at each location where you spend more than 15 minutes. This will allow us to contact people on our campuses who are considered close contacts of positive cases of COVID-19. Download the NAIT Alert app for easy access to the check-in form or scan the check-in QR code that can be found on posters in common areas on our campuses.
• Take the AHS COVID-19 Self-Assessment each day before you come to campus or if you become ill and follow instructions from Alberta Health Services.
• Self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19 if advised.
• Complete a NAIT Health and Safety Incident Report if you have symptoms of COVID-19. 
• Stay home until your symptoms resolve, even if you have tested negative for COVID-19. 

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.

We will continue to provide additional information as required. For questions about COVID-19, call 811 or visit alberta.ca/covid19. For NAIT’s response to COVID-19, visit nait.ca/relaunch.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Health Services at  HealthServices@nait.ca or 780.471.8733.  

Josh Bowen 

Director, Relaunch Coordination Team 

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