COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update – March 9, 2020

Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and the potential impact on our community. All classes, campus operations and activities are continuing as scheduled.

There are currently no identified cases of COVID-19 at Humber or the University of Guelph-Humber.

We are taking the COVID-19 situation seriously and the health and well-being of the entire college community is of paramount importance. We will continue to provide students and employees with regular updates and FAQs through www.humber.ca/updates, Communiqué, MyHumber and www.guelphhumber.ca/covid-19.

The College has activated its Critical Incident Response Team, which is responsible for COVID-19 oversight, planning and preparation. Humber has a pandemic plan and multiple business continuity plans in place, should they be required.

What if someone does test positive for COVID-19?

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be under the direction and support of their local public health unit. The public health unit will follow-up with potential close contacts of the individual. Humber will take direction from Public Health as to what follow-up measures are to be implemented, should the need arise.   

All students and employees (including from the University of Guelph-Humber) must inform Humber if they have tested positive for COVID-19. Students can notify Jacqueline Anderson, Associate Director, Health and Counselling. Employees can notify Margaret Fung, Manager, Occupational Health and Safety. Humber will track these individuals and provide appropriate support to these individuals throughout their period of illness and recovery.   

Ability to Work and Learn on Campus

Recommendations to support global containment efforts and limit the spread of the virus, including self-isolation are still in place, particularly for those who may have been travelling recently. The Government of Canada Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak Update page provides regularly updated travel advisories.

If a student or employee, or their family members, have travelled to China, Iran, or Northern Italy within the last 14 days, they should stay at home and contact Toronto Public Health to seek guidance as to whether they should self-isolate before coming to work or class.

Any students who are feeling unwell and/or have reason to believe they should be self-isolated should stay home and contact their Associate Dean (University of Guelph-Humber students should contact their instructor and/or academic advisor) before coming to campus. Students will be accommodated, as long as the appropriate notice and documentation is provided, as required.

Faculty members who are feeling unwell and/or have reason to believe they should be self-isolated and therefore are unable to attend class, should stay home and contact their Associate Dean (for the University of Guelph-Humber should contact their Program Head or Assistant Program Head) before coming to campus to discuss appropriate next steps.

All other employees who are feeling unwell and/or have reason to believe they should be self-isolated should stay home and contact their manager before coming to campus to discuss appropriate next steps. 

Employees will be accommodated, as long as the appropriate notice and documentation is provided, as required.

Measures Underway

While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international public health emergency, the current risk to Canadians remains low. We maintain ongoing contact with Toronto Public Health and have been advised that there are no additional actions required, and to follow regular respiratory illness protocols and prevention strategies.

In addition to what has been communicated previously, bring your own mug/cup is currently not available at Starbucks and Tim Horton’s locations on campus. The Roll Up The Rim at Tim Horton’s contest has also been suspended to limit potential exposure with the return of used coffee cup rims.

Humber is following all respiratory illness protocols and prevention measures already in place. In addition, areas of the College that provide health-related services, including the Health Centres, Dental Centres, the Humber Spa and the Tzu Chi Clinic of Chinese Medicine, have the recommended screening protocols in place.

We have increased cleaning of high touch point areas, using a chemical that kills both coronavirus and norovirus. Electrostatic fogging machines are also being used twice a week in cafeterias, open computer labs, high-traffic washrooms, athletic changerooms, health centres, Residence etc. This includes the keyboards and monitors in the open access labs. Electrostatic fogging machines seal surfaces so that germs are unable to attach to them.

Soap and hospital-grade hand sanitizer dispensers across campus will be monitored and filled regularly.

As we are in the winter flu season, we ask everyone to:

  • wash your hands as frequently as possible,
  • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and clean your hands,
  • if you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm,
  • and stay home if you’re feeling ill.

Public Health Ontario also has several hand hygiene videos available as reference.

Resources and Contacts

We want to emphasize that Humber takes the health and well-being of our staff and students seriously and we are monitoring the situation closely. An oversight group comprising representatives from the Academic Division, Communications, Human Resources, Legal and Risk Management, Public Safety, Student Success and Engagement, and the University of Guelph-Humber will provide regular updates to the community.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Other COVID-19 information is available at the following links:
Ontario Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) page
Toronto Medical Officer of Health statement – March 2
Toronto Public Health 
Toronto Public Health Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
Government of Canada - Travel Health Notices
Public Health Agency of Canada