Today, Alberta Health Services (AHS) gave notice of a COVID-19 outbreak in the university’s Theatre Arts program. The university can confirm that 12 MacEwan students in a cohort of 45 students from the program have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating. The university was required to wait to announce the outbreak until formal notice was received from AHS.

All of the students in this cohort last attended face-to-face classes on campus October 23. Upon first indication of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, the university immediately moved to online delivery of all classes in the Theatre Arts program. Face-to-face classes for the program will not be resuming on campus until November 30, 2020.

As part of the follow up process, the university, under the direction of AHS, ensured all students and faculty impacted by the exposure were notified and directed to seek testing and isolate immediately.

Alberta Health Services and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety promptly investigated this incident. Upon their review of MacEwan’s COVID-19 controls, it was determined that the risk to the general population of the university campus was extremely low. Both agencies determined that no further action was, or is, required by MacEwan at this time.

We are confident the risk to our community has been minimized. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely.

We extend our best wishes for a restful recovery to the members of our community who are in isolation.