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McMaster employee who spent time at Life Sciences Building tests positive for COVID-19

The worker was last on campus on Sept. 29 and spent time at the Life Sciences Building, according to an update shared Sunday following confirmation of the case.

University says the building has been cleaned several times since Sept. 29

McMaster University says the employee who tested positive was last visited campus on Sept. 29 and spent time at the Life Sciences Building. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)

McMaster University says an employee has tested positive for COVID-19, marking the university's fourth case of the virus.

The worker was last on campus on Sept. 29 and spent time at the Life Sciences Building, according to an update shared Sunday following confirmation of the case.

The university said the employee was approved to be in the building and followed all necessary health and safety protocols while on campus.

"The building has been cleaned several times since that time and will undergo an additional cleaning today," the university says.

Contact tracing will be carried out by public health officials, who will reach out to anyone who may have been exposed.

McMaster notes it follows strict protocols designed to keep staff and students safe, including cleaning any areas on campus where a person awaiting test results has visited in the past 72 hours.

"In the majority of cases the test results have been negative," the university said. "If a test result is later confirmed, additional cleaning may also occur out of an abundance of caution."

Faculty, staff and students are required to complete a COVID-19 assessment an hour before they plan to visit any McMaster facility.

Anyone who feels sick is asked not to come to campus and encouraged to seek medical advice instead.