COVID-19 outbreak declared at Redeemer University

Hamilton public health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a Christian university in Ancaster.

As of Sept. 29, there are nine related student cases.

In a Sept. 28 letter, Redeemer University says eight students in four residences have tested positive for the virus.

All dormmates have been tested and the affected students are currently isolating," the letter reads.

The infected students were last in academic buildings on Sept. 27.

The university says contact tracing has shown the spread of COVID-19 is occurring entirely through dorm-to-dorm social contact."

There is no evidence that transmission is occurring in the academic building or outdoors," the letter reads.

Dorm visits are prohibited until Oct. 18.

Redeemer, which initially said it would be encouraging," but not requiring, eligible students and staff to be vaccinated, adopted a vaccine disclosure policy after the province mandated them for all Ontario universities and colleges in late August.

Students - about 85 per cent of whom are studying in person this fall - were expected to disclose their vaccination status by Sept. 13.

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter covering education at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com