At a Student Association of George Brown College (SAGBC) board meeting on May 17, 2021, Joe Stapleton, the college’s manager of student life, announced that a new nasal rapid-testing clinic has been opened at George Brown College’s (GBC) Waterfront Campus. 

The nasal rapid-testing clinic will be open from Monday to Friday, at varying time intervals, and will be available throughout the whole Spring-Summer 2021 Semester. 

Although the test is not mandatory, patients can receive their results for the rapid test within ten minutes. However, the rapid test is not entirely accurate with only a 98 per cent efficacy. When a patient reportedly tests positive, they will be told to sit through an additional test that will confirm the result. 

“If during the course of the week, [students, staff, or faculty] wanted the rapid test, it’s only about an inch right up to your nose,” says Stapleton. “If [the first rapid test] comes back positive, they will do an additional test that gives 100 per cent efficacy. The secondary test takes longer to come back.” 

Additionally, individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 on the first test will be told to self-isolate and follow public health restrictions. However, after a patient tests positive on the second test, the mandatory protocols, which include contacting the patient’s employer and faculty, as well as the “Let’s Talk COVID-19” team at GBC, will be followed. 

“The second test will get sent to the lab,” said Stapleton. “The individual is advised if it is a false positive or if they do have the virus.” 

Furthermore, the pilot project was carried out in consultation with the faculty. As a result, students will not be penalized for choosing to take the COVID-19 test during classroom hours. 

“The pilot project will end in August, and students can choose between Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 am, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm,” said Joe Stapleton. 

In the future, Stapleton hopes to consult VP of student success Chris McGrath about current students at other campuses wanting to take the rapid clinic test at the Waterfront Campus. And if the pilot project is a success, similar implementations may occur at the Casa Loma and St. James campus. 

Along with the pilot project, Stapleton says that there will be no shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on campus during the fall semester, and vaccinations are not mandatory for students, staff or faculty. 

“As more people do get vaccinated, then things do open up more broadly,” said Stapleton.