Family and friends of a college student from Peterborough, Ontario, who died of COVID-19 say he was diligent in protecting himself and concerned about the safety of others. Zachary Root, 31, was a student at Fleming College in the accounting program and lived in Severn Court Student Residence, a privately run facility with about 200 residents. His death was linked to a 59-case outbreak at the facility, all of which tested positive for a variant of concern.
According to the college, the outbreak appears to be linked to “illegal” parties at the residence on and around February 20th. These parties were not attended by Brandon Root, Root’s brother, who said, “We acknowledge that the partygoers had no malicious intent toward my brother.” “He was concerned about everyone’s happiness and safety, and he wanted to ensure that he was doing everything he could to protect others,” he said. On March 15, he passed away. “He was a very nice guy with a big heart,” a friend of Zachary Root’s says. The 31-year-old was taken to Peterborough Hospital for treatment before being transferred to a Toronto hospital. “All it took was a couple of parties and some people moving around,” a student explains. Fleming College is “preparing for disciplinary action” and will launch its own tribunal next week.
The school claims that police are investigating the incident and that a disciplinary tribunal will be convened. Variants, according to Dr. Ian Brasg, can cause more harm, including death, and young people’s hospitalizations are on the rise.
News and picture Source: CTV NEWS
