COVID-19

Monday, January 18, 2021

COVID-19 Update: January 18, 2021

Briercrest Christian Academy, College, and Seminary has no new cases of COVID-19 to report. Last week’s positive case and close contact case remain in isolation.

One positive case with no known transmissions

One Briercrest student has tested positive through a precautionary test taken prior to returning to campus for school in January. Upon receiving test results the student was immediately placed in quarantine. The student was asymptomatic and had only one known close contact who has also been placed in immediate quarantine with guidance from the Saskatchewan Health Authority. There have been no known transmissions on campus to this point.

Briercrest Christian Academy students returned to campus on Monday, January 4 in time for classes to start on Tuesday, January 5. Briercrest College students returned to campus in time for classes to begin January 11.

Upon returning for the winter semester, all students are required to observe a 10-day isolation period and self-monitor through a daily health tracking and notification system. During isolation, all cafeteria meals are take out and will be eaten in isolation, students will not be permitted to enter dorm rooms or households other than their own. Until further notice, masks will be worn in the presence of others at all times. Community students may not visit others' homes. Due to the current Public Health Order, College students may not return home for the weekend.

Proactive campus health guidelines continue to be successful

We continue to monitor students and staff for symptoms through a daily health tracking and notification system.

Measures in place for ongoing student care

Briercrest continues to work closely with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to maintain proper health and safety protocols. We continue to monitor students and staff for symptoms through a daily health tracking and notification system. All students on campus have signed waivers indicating that they will adhere to Briercrest’s health guidelines, including daily health screening, the wearing of masks, and maintaining social distancing. We are grateful for the collaboration and guidance of the SHA and the creativity of on-campus leaders working to keep our campus safe while still providing opportunities for students to connect and have fun together.

Our campus facilities can accommodate over 1,000 students, making it possible to host the 665 students currently enroled on campus and in residences while preventing crowding.

Testing policies and procedures

Any student displaying symptoms will be isolated until they either test positively and move to quarantine or receive a negative COVID-19 test result.

For students needing to self-isolate, Briercrest has designated a dorm space that allows them to isolate comfortably and continue with their classes online. These students will also be included in the social aspects of life on campus digitally and through safe visits through windows.

Weekly updates to follow

Briercrest plans to continue to release a COVID-19 update weekly for the Winter semester. You can access last week's update here.