Niagara College president back on the job after week off with COVID-19

Niagara College President Sean Kennedy took last week off work but it wasn’t the vacation he had in mind.

On April 25, he announced to the student body and staff that he had caught COVID-19 but that his symptoms were mild.

“As a greater level of public activities and events have resumed in recent weeks, as an added precaution I’ve undertaken rapid antigen testing in advance of in-person gatherings,” he posted. “My tests have been consistently negative until today, when I tested positive.”

He added that he was following all public health protocols and guidance, including self-isolation.

“I will be working remotely for at least five days, and I look forward to returning to campus when I have met the requirements to do so under public health guidelines,” he added.

According to Niagara Region Health, the day you developed symptoms or get negative test (whichever came first) is day zero. In Kennedy’s case, Monday, April 25.

Says the health unit, “Day one is the first full day after. For example, if Jan. 1 is day zero, Jan. 6 is day five and Jan. 7 is when your self-isolation can end.” By that math, Kennedy’s Day 6 was this past Sunday.

Kennedy finished his statement on a cautionary note. “I encourage all members of our college community to get fully vaccinated, stay home when you are unwell, and follow public health guidelines to protect yourself and others.”

Niagara College has campuses in both Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake.