OLDS — Two people who were found to have COVID-19 at Olds College a few weeks ago have recovered and as of last week, there were “zero active cases” there, according to Blayne Meek, the college’s director of marketing, communications and conference services.
Meek said in order to keep the campus safe and offer hands-on learning, Olds College implemented the provincial government’s proof of vaccination policy, which took effect on Sept. 20.
As of Nov. 1, in order to be on campus, students and staff have to be fully vaccinated, provide proof of a medical exemption, or regularly provide a negative rapid test result.
Compliance has been pretty strong, according to statistics cited by Meek.
In an email, she said 87 per cent of students are double vaccinated and four per cent have received one vaccination. She said nine per cent are unvaccinated and undergoing regular rapid testing.
Meek said 95 per cent of employees have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Five per cent are unvaccinated and doing regular rapid testing, working remotely, or are on unpaid leave.
“The majority of both employees and students have expressed they are happy to be back on campus with in-person classes and labs,” she wrote.
“Staff and students who fall out of compliance with the policy are contacted immediately and are not allowed to be on campus until they are back in compliance.”
Meek indicated that a very small percentage of students, staff or instructors have quit rather than comply with the rules.
“We did have a small number of students (2.8 per cent) withdraw from their program of study and a very small number of staff (less than one per cent) who chose not to comply with the proof of vaccine policy and as a result have been placed on unpaid leave,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, athletes on various Olds College Broncos teams are practising and playing games in accordance with ACAC COVID-19 guidelines, which in turn follow all provincial mandates and orders.
That means that in order to enter a facility where the Broncos are playing, staff, athletes, volunteers and spectators age 12 and over must provide:
• AHS proof of vaccination; or
• a negative test result obtained within the past 72 hours; or
• an original vaccine medical exemption letter; and
• Personal Identification.
In addition, masks must also be worn while in the facility.
