2nd COVID-19 case identified at St. FX University

The student was tested the same day and has been isolating in residence.

The release said the school was informed of the new case by Nova Scotia Public Health on Friday evening.

The case at St. FX was included in the province’s daily COVID-19 totals on Saturday. The province reported three new cases.

“We can see from our case numbers that Nova Scotians and university students returning to our province are doing a good job following the public health protocols and orders,” Premier Stephen McNeil said in a news release Saturday.

This is the second case to be identified at St. FX this week. The first case also involved a returning student who arrived to campus on Jan. 3 and immediately began isolating.

“The two cases appear to be unrelated. Our plans have been fully enacted, including activating the necessary supports for our student, and the risk to the overall community remains low,” the release said.

The school said Public Health is performing contact tracing. The university has also contacted anyone who is considered low-risk “to ensure they are informed.”

On Friday, the province urged post-secondary students who have returned to Nova Scotia from outside of the Atlantic provinces to book a COVID-19 test on the sixth, seventh or eighth day of their isolation, regardless if they have symptoms. 

Any students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must complete a self-assessment online or call 811. Students will still be required to finish their isolation period even with a negative result.

“As we see more cases among post-secondary students returning to Nova Scotia, it serves as a reminder of the importance and effectiveness of our public health measures,” Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, said in the release. 

“I want to thank the students who are completing their self-isolation and taking advantage of the opportunity to get tested which is helping to keep other students, staff and their neighbouring communities safe.”

Throughout COVID-19, St. FX had been holding most of its classes in-person. However, the university has delayed the start of in-person classes to Jan. 25 to allow returning students from New Brunswick time to complete their 14-day quarantine.

On Friday, McNeil announced that anyone coming into the province from New Brunswick must now self-isolate, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the province. 

New Brunswick reported 30 new cases on Saturday, prompting more rules about students who travel into the province for custody agreements or school.

Any student travelling into…