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Fifth case of COVID-19 confirmed at Ontario Police College

October 28, 2020  By The Canadian Press


The Ontario Police College in Malahide, northeast of Aylmer, confirmed fifth confirmed case of COVID-19 on Monday, Sept. 22.

As a result of the positive case and after the Ministry of the Solicitor General consulted with Southwestern Public Health, a total of 28 students and 16 staff members were isolated and underwent testing for the virus.

Testing for all individuals has since come back negative and they are no longer required to self-isolate, said Ministry of Solicitor General spokesperson Brent Ross on Monday, Sept. 28.

“The health of our staff and recruits is the top priority, and we continue to work with local public health to protect their safety,” he wrote in an emailed statement.

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Additional safety measures include mandatory screening, isolation when appropriate, on-site testing, and providing personal protective equipment.

Four cases of the virus were previously detected, all of which were recruits attending Basic Constable Training. The last COVID-19 case was confirmed at the college on Monday, Aug. 10.

“It should be noted that this case is unrelated to earlier cases involving a previous intake of recruits,” said Mr. Ross.

The ministry has not revealed any more details as to where the recruits are from in this case, or in previous cases of COVID-19 at the college, citing privacy.

Police recruits are permitted to leave campus: “It is the ministry’s expectation that police recruits comply with COVID-19 public health related requirements when off campus,” said Mr. Ross. Upon returning, they are required to undergo screening, including daily temperature checks.

About 430 recruits from 34 police services attend the Ontario Police College. Recruits are grouped into “pods” that consist of 8 to 10 people living together. They reside in individual bedrooms and share one to two bathrooms and a common area.

As a COVID-19 measure, the Basic Constable Training takes place in 10 weeks, rather than 12, by providing classes six days per week instead of the standard five. There are typically three intakes with approximately 1,200 recruits per year.

– Veronica Reiner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Aylmer Express

 The Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., 2020


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