More COVID-19 cases reported at Hamilton schools, including 3 at Bennetto elementary

Three students at Bennetto Elementary School in Hamilton have tested positive for COVID-19.

The trio of cases comes as positive test results continue to be reported for students and staff at schools across the city.

A letter to families from Bennetto principal Sandra Rowell says the students were last in the building on Oct. 5 and that the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) was notified of the positive results Saturday.

As a precaution, the classes each student was a part of and any staff members associated with the cases, have been directed to not come back to the school for 14 days, says the letter.

Rowell says students who may have come into contact with the cases will be contacted starting Tuesday.

She adds there were no close contacts through child care or students riding on the bus.

Families and caregivers are asked to continue screening children for COVID-19. Students are directed to continue attending school after the long weekend unless they've been asked by public health to stay home.

After a confirmed case of COVID-19, the HWDSB follows a "detailed cleaning and disinfecting protocol," writes Rowell, adding students will only be allowed back to a facility after extra cleaning measures are complete and the board is "confident" it is safe.

"Our shared priority is the health and safety of the children and staff in our school community," the letter reads.

A second case of COVID-19 was also confirmed at Sherwood Secondary School on Friday.

The student was last in the school on Sept. 30, according to a letter.

The school saw its first case of the virus on Oct. 2.

Catholic board also sees new cases

Hamilton's Catholic school board has also seen several COVID-19 cases in the past week.

John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School notified families Thursday that two students had the virus.

One student last visited the building on Sept. 18, according to the school. The other was there on Sept. 22.

The school says an investigation by public health determined "both cases pose no risk to our school population."

A classroom at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School and one at St. David Catholic Elementary School are closed following a positive test for students Friday as well.

The high school says its student last visited the school on Oct. 1, while St. David says its student was in school Friday.

Contact tracing for both cases is underway and the board says it will undertake a "deep cleaning and disinfection of all areas at the school[s] occupied by symptomatic individuals."

Similar efforts are underway at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School, after the board was notified a staff member had tested positive on Friday.

The employee was last in the school on Oct. 6.