Queen’s University confirms 135 COVID-19 infections in the past week – Kingston | The Canadian News

With two weeks until Christmas, Queen’s University has announced a COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the school’s case tracker, there were at least 135 confirmed infections this week.

With the in-person testing season in full swing and the emergence of the OMICRON variant, school officials are advising students to avoid social gatherings as well as any non-masking interaction.

They are also lenient when it comes to writing exams and anyone who has been affected by the virus.

In a statement issued Friday night, the school said: “If a student has to miss a class, exam, or other academic requirement due to symptoms, COVID-19 illness, or a self-isolation requirement, they will be given timely academic consideration. “.

In another statement on Saturday, the university stated, “In response to concerns raised by some Queen’s students regarding face-to-face exams, both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering have today updated their academic considerations process to include feeling distressed by COVID in the community. “

A message from the Faculty of Engineering says:

“We have updated our academic considerations process to include the feeling of COVID distress in the community. We would like to reiterate that you should not attend in-person exams if you are feeling unwell, have symptoms, have been in contact with someone who has symptoms, or have been asked to isolate yourself. Additionally, if you are experiencing COVID-related distress in the community, you also have the option of not attending exams in person. This applies to all undergraduate engineering students, including freshmen. “

There will be make-up tests for those students at the beginning of the winter term.

With many students ready to travel home for the holidays, university officials say they are also working on a plan for the rapid test kits to be available early next week.

All symptom-free students who are not a high-risk contact may use the tests within 48 hours of travel outside of the KFL & A region.