Peterborough Public Health Declares Outbreak in Student Residence
Written by Communications, February 27, 2021
Symptomatic Visitors from the February 20-27 Exposure Period to Self-Isolate and Get Tested
Peterborough Public Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak today at Severn Court Student Residence. Six cases have been confirmed so far, and the index case has screened positive for a variant of concern (VOC).
A Section 22 Order has been issued by Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health, closing the building to visitors and requiring all residents to self-isolate. Anyone who visited Severn Court between February 20 and 27 is asked to self-isolate and get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms. Everyone is asked to stay away from the building until further notice.
Severn Court Student Residence is located at 555 Wilfred Drive in Peterborough and is home to approximately 200 students living in six separate buildings. Based on initial investigations, several of the exposures occurred during a private gathering on February 20.
“This outbreak is very concerning not only because it involves a variant of concern and could lead to many more cases and high-risk contacts, but because it was also completely preventable,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “In spite of this difficult situation, Severn Court Management Company has been incredibly responsive and are working very hard to help us contain the spread of the virus.”
Peterborough Public Health is also working closely with Trent University and Fleming College.
At this point the specific type of VOC is unknown while the sample undergoes further testing to identify its genomic sequence. Contract tracing continues and further updates will be issued as more details become available.
For more information on COVID-19, including where to get tested and an overview of VOCs, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence, Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391