By Victoria Surla

It has been an uncertain course of events for Ontario colleges and universities following the declaration of a second outbreak of COVID-19 earlier this week. With cases in the Greater Toronto Area on the rise and new preventative measures being put in place, many things remain uncertain for the duration of the Fall 2020 semester.

George Brown College’s (GBC) first COVID-19 case was confirmed on the evening of September 29, after an individual tested positive who had been at the St. James campus between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on September 25.

Chris McGrath, George Brown College’s VP of student success, urges students to follow proper social distancing measures.

“I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for individuals to do everything they can to reduce the spread [of COVID-19]” says McGrath. “I know how difficult it is. I live here alone in Toronto and my family is across the country and overseas. But my bubble consists of a very small group of trusted friends who hold each other accountable for what’s going on.”

George Brown College has been following social distancing measures since the early spring and will continue to ensure that students who must access the campus are provided with safe and cleanly learning environments, according to McGrath.

“I am relieved to know that the individual [who contracted COVID-19] told us about their positive test results so that GBC could take the necessary steps to respond.”

McGrath says that the individual is self-isolating and the college is in contact with Toronto Public Health to assist them with contact tracing.

GBC is not the first and likely won’t be the last post-secondary institution to experience new cases in the GTA.

Western University has already reported an outbreak of 28 confirmed cases among students as of September 17. This number jumped to 46 confirmed cases the following weekend, according to the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU).

“Even with our campus closed, at a school like Western, it honestly does nothing. Students are going to continue to party regardless,” says Shawn Miller, a fifth-year economics student at Western. “What they really should’ve done is closed downtown [bars and restaurants]. That’s where it seems like all the cases are actually coming from.”

“It’s unfortunate because it really makes all students look bad… even the ones who aren’t going out, aren’t partying, and actually doing everything we can to offset the spread of the virus.”

According to the MLHU, the outbreak at Western University arose from three individual house parties with infected students who went downtown to clubs and restaurants between the dates of September 8 and September 13.

GBC continues to do its part in taking the precautionary measures to abstain from the further spread of the virus. All buildings and facilities at GBC campuses continue to remain closed to those who do not require necessary access, until further notice.