There are 55 active COVID-19 cases on the Briercrest campus in the Village of Caronport, but campus administrators expect that number to reach zero within a few days.
Forty-three students and 12 staff — at the high school, college, and seminary — were confirmed to have the virus as of Sept. 22, although none of those cases has resulted in hospitalization, the organization said.
Beginning Sept. 24, Briercrest will work with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to re-test the campus community every Friday starting on Sept. 24 until there are zero positive COVID-19 cases.
Campus administration believes active cases will be resolved within the week.
This outbreak is linked to eight individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving in early September at Briercrest.
Both students and employees were instructed to take a COVID-19 test, the blog post explained. On Sept. 7, a mobile testing clinic processed more than 300 staff, students, and faculty. Eight positive results were discovered.
In consultation with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Briercrest conducted contact tracing. Those affected were provided with information on how to proceed.
Procedures for close contacts
Close contacts who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were instructed to monitor for symptoms. If COVID-19 symptoms developed, they were to isolate immediately and seek testing. Those who had received one dose or have not been vaccinated were instructed to isolate immediately and seek testing.
“Those who tested positive isolated immediately and aided Briercrest staff in contact tracing to help protect community health and safety,” the blog said.
Supporting the isolated
Some students were unable to isolate themselves because they were living in a dorm with communal washrooms. These students were moved to private rooms in the Lewis Apartments, the blog continued. Campus staff are delivering meals from the cafeteria to the isolated students, while Briercrest staff and student leaders are maintaining regular virtual contact with those affected.
Some staff members prepared care packages for the isolated dorm students.
Briercrest’s “Tender Loving Care (TLC) Packages” are designed to encourage and care for students while they are at Briercrest. Packages must be ordered at least three days in advance to ensure timely delivery. Students will be notified via cell message or email to pick up their package from the Den Café.
Along with the single packages, the campus also has a four-package bundle. These can be delivered throughout the semester on the dates of the giver’s choice. Each package is subject to a $5 packaging and delivery fee.
Visit https://mybriercrest.ca/studentdevelopment/tlcpackages for more information about ordering TLC Packages for staff and students.
More testing
Besides those identified as close contacts, all those at events where positive COVID-19 cases were in attendance have been instructed to seek testing.
Protocols for the 2021 Return to Campus were developed from the SHA public health mandates, the blog said. Briercrest says it "is committed to continuing consultations with SHA to determine the best practices for the health and safety of the Briercrest community."
Visit www.briercrest.ca for more information.
