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Since a now-resolved case of COVID-19 in a Western University student in her 20s in late January, Southwestern Ontario has not had any active cases of the respiratory illness.

Classes are still on at Western University in London but the institution is monitoring the situation and plans are underway to move online if necessary. Schools in Windsor are taking a similar approach.

“The University of Windsor’s pandemic planning committee is meeting daily to assess the situation and is working closely with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit,” media relations manager Lori Lewis said in an email.

Habash said St. Clair will announce to students and staff on Thursday it is reviewing plans for “alternate delivery” of classes.

“Next week we have March Break,” he said. “Whatever we decide to do we can implement by the time we get back, if there’s anything that needs to be done or can be done.”

Habash said he’s not sure what the approach will be if in-person classes have to be cancelled.

“We don’t know what that looks like yet, but we are working on that plan,” he said. “That’s easier said than done. At colleges we have a lot of hands-on labs where students work with their hands. Delivering it online cannot happen. So if we do have to shut down, how do we recover students in terms of the labs?”

Last Friday, St. Clair also sent out communications to staff and students telling them to stay home if they have any symptoms.

“We’re following the health unit’s advice,” said Habash. “They advised essentially to inform students and staff not to go to hospital or to a medical clinic, to identify to us first that ‘I’m sick.’ Do not come to class. And we will connect them with the health unit.”