St. Francis Xavier University confirms 12 infected with COVID-19 after ring ceremony | Globalnews.ca

St. Francis Xavier University in northeastern Nova Scotia has confirmed 12 members of its campus community have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation.

The cluster of cases was first reported Tuesday by provincial health officials, but no numbers were released.

Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, said the cluster is related to the university’s graduate ring ceremony held on Friday and the sanctioned and informal social events held on and around the campus over the weekend.

Strang said the official events respected public health protocols requiring proof of vaccination and masking where necessary, but the province is investigating off-campus events that may not have complied with the rules.

Premier Tim Houston said Tuesday that anyone caught violating the province’s health protection measures will be fined.

The university in Antigonish, N.S., cancelled all classes Tuesday, but it said examinations would begin as scheduled on Thursday.

“More cases are expected in the coming days as the Public Health investigation continues and others are tested,” the university’s president, Andy Hakin, said in a statement released Tuesday night.

“Public Health has reinforced there is no current rationale to interrupt our operational plans regarding offering in-person exams.

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Concern about COVID-19 in Nova Scotia childcare settings

In fact, it was noted that, in conjunction with mask-wearing, exam settings are typically a lower risk environment, due to physical spacing and limited interaction.”

Still, Hakin said more infections are expected in the coming days.

“While we know that news of these new cases will cause anxiety, please be assured that university officials continue to work closely with Public Health to monitor the overall status of the outbreak,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2021.