McMaster University student tests positive for COVID-19

A third student at McMaster University has tested positive for COVID-19 since the end of August.

The school says it learned of the test result on Thursday.

"The student was on campus for a short amount of time on Oct. 6 in the John Hodgins Engineering Building. The building has since been thoroughly cleaned," reads the release.

"The student has been very thorough in sharing their actions while briefly on campus and we thank them for their diligence. Any contact tracing required is being managed by public health authorities. They will be directly contacting anyone who would be part of the tracing for this case."

There's no sign of any connection between the COVID-19 case at the school from just four days earlier. 

"It's important to remember that McMaster has moved classes online for the fall and winter terms," Wade Hemsworth, a school spokesperson, previously said.

McMaster says it follows strict protocols to keep staff and students safe, which include 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 must 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.