COVID-19 Update: BISC 303 notice

Message from Dr. Jonathan Driver, Vice-President Academic and Provost pro tem, SFU:

We are not aware of any positive cases of COVID-19 within our SFU community at this time. A notice that was posted to one of the labs in BISC 303 last week has been brought to our attention. The notice was to let those students know that a person who attended their lab on March 3 found out that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

We have checked with Fraser Heath and with the information that we have at this time, any risk of transmission from this particular individual would be extremely low or no risk. This person has not been back to SFU since March 3. Following that date, that individual did learn of a positive test result for a relative and has been in self-isolation since that time and is getting tested. It’s important to know that this individual is not confirmed to have COVID-19 at this time and they did not have any symptoms when they attended the March 3 lab. The COVID-19 virus is spread by droplets, which are produced primarily during coughing and sneezing and can transfer to someone through these droplets (through the eyes, nose or throat) if you are in close contact with someone infected. As a precaution, all common surface areas in that lab have been deep cleaned.

We realize that there is heightened concern about COVID-19. We are committed to protecting our students, faculty and staff and letting you know if there are any cases of COVID-19 among our community. 

As it has been reported, the majority of cases in BC are linked to travel from countries experiencing an outbreak or from loved ones of those infected. It’s important to protect each other, but also people’s privacy. Not everyone who gets tested for COVID-19 is positive; in fact, based on the BCCDC’s results, most are not. The university has been notified of a few individuals in our community who have been tested and those have come back negative. If someone tests positive, SFU will do everything it can to cooperate with the BCCDC and notify those who may be affected.

It is important that we are all vigilant in self-care and protecting others during this time. As we have shared, the best way to protect yourself and others continues to be to:

• Stay home when you are ill, especially if you have a fever, cough, or are blowing your nose (this includes staying away from large events/gatherings with other people during that time).
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
• If a sink is not available, 60-90% alcohol-based hand rubs (hand sanitizer) can be used to clean hands if they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based disposable hand wipe to remove the dirt and then use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with unwashed hands.

For more information about COVID-19 please visit the FAQs online. 

Jonathan C. Driver, PhD, RPA

Vice-President Academic and Provost pro tem
Simon Fraser University