Laurentian University taking precautions against COVID-19 spread

Reaction to Laurentian's class cancellations Reaction to news that the Sudbury man with COVID-19 worked at a building on the Laurentian University campus. Watch Alana Everson's report.

Sudbury — The Willet Green Miller Centre, on the grounds of Laurentian University, closed for precautionary cleaning against COVID-19 this week after a Sudbury man that works there tested positive for the virus.

Health officials are still investigating the patient's point of transmission, but because he did not have any travel history abroad, it is suspected he came in contact with the virus at the PDAC mining convention in Toronto. He returned to work at the Northern Development and Mines office within the Willet Green Miller Centre for two days following the conference.

Laurentian University officials confirm about 100 people from the school, students and faculty, attended the same mining conference.

As a result, until further notice, classes at the school will be delivered online as of Thursday.

Although the university will remain open, school events are cancelled through the weekend and public access has been restricted at the recreation centre.

An open house scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled and online seminars will be offered for prospective students.

Several students on campus told CTV News they appreciate the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

"I am a little worried about getting the virus. I am taking extra precautions, wiping down our door handles and going to find some hand sanitizer and masks somewhere," said Troy Everson, a mechanical engineering student.

"I think it's just better, because we don't know the extent of how bad it could be. So, we would rather be safe than sorry. Especially, like we are students and we are all so close to each other. I live with my three friends. If someone gets it, we don't want someone else to get it. We live all so close to each other," said Camelie Belzile a speech pathology student.

Coronavirus newsletter sign-up: Get The COVID-19 Brief sent to your inbox