16th case connected to COVID-19 outbreak at Wilfrid Laurier University

A 16th case has been connected to the COVID-19 outbreak at Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), according to Waterloo Public Health.

The outbreak was initially announced Tuesday with four cases but had grown to 15 cases by Thursday.

Initially, WLU said the outbreak affected two floors of the Clara Conrad Hall residence on the university’s Waterloo campus but Waterloo Public Health said a third had been added as of Thursday.

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The region’s top doctor said Friday that the outbreak had spread to other residences on campus as well.

“We have cases at the Clara Conrad residence with three wings in the outbreak,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region’s acting medical officer of health.  “At two other university residences at least — Waterloo College Hall and 260 Regina — as well as off-campus.”

She said that the cases are all linked to off-campus study groups.

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“These are cases that have been associated either to previously linked study groups or are close contacts of cases themselves,” Wang explained. “Now our investigation is ongoing. And the numbers will be updated on a daily basis.”

She believes that the ongoing investigation could lead to more cases and residences being linked to the COVID-19 outbreak at WLU.

“I just wanted to add, there may be cases reported in residences, but that the confirmation that they’re linked to this outbreak needs to follow,” Wang said.

“I expect that we may very well have additional cases in places that are linked.”