2 new outbreaks and 16 school-related COVID-19 cases in Hamilton since Thursday

Sixteen COVID-19 cases in the last six days have been traced back to students or staff in Hamilton's in-person classes — and two schools are facing outbreaks.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board chair Pat Daly confirmed an outbreak at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Elementary School on San Remo Drive near Olympic Park.

It has seen four staff and one student test positive since Monday. Four classes have closed.

The board's last update on the situation was on Tuesday, when there were only two cases at the school. Both of those were staff and they were last in school on Friday.

"Any students, staff or cohorts that are required to quarantine will be notified immediately by the school and will be contacted by Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) within the next two days. Persons who test positive for COVID-19 may not return to school until they are cleared by HPHS," read a letter from principal Devia Catania to families.

"As part of its COVID-19 action plan, the HWCDSB will undertake a deep cleaning and disinfection of all areas at the school occupied by the symptomatic individuals and will ensure all preventive measures are in place."

A.M. Cunningham Elementary School on Wexford Avenue South in the Delta East neighbourhood had an outbreak declared after two students tested positive for COVID-19.

One student tested positive on Monday and the other tested positive on Wednesday according to Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB).

"School administrators will contact any students or staff identified as close contacts, who will self-isolate for 14 days," reads a release from the board.

HWDSB states an outbreak is defined as two more confirmed COVID-19 cases among students, staff or visitors in a school connected at the school within a two week period (that also includes transportation and before/after school care).

19 school COVID-19 cases in 9 days

The new COVID-19 outbreaks come as a new variant of the virus was detected in Hamilton on Wednesday. The city is also considering creating a virtual memorial wall for Hamiltonians who died after contracting the virus.

Throughout the pandemic, the city's medical officer of health has said school is the best place for students to be and said they are not vectors for the virus.

Local schools have also been waiting to begin asymptomatic testing. In-person learning resumed last Monday, which means there have been a total of 19 cases in nine days (excluding cases among remote learners).

Since Thursday, other COVID-19 cases at schools include:

• A Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School student.
• A Sherwood Secondary School student.
• A Lisgar Elementary School staff member.
• A Glendale Secondary School student.
• A South Meadow Elementary School student.
• An Ancaster Meadow Elementary School student.
• A St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School student, last in class on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
• A St. Eugene Catholic Elementary School student, last in class on Thursday.
• A third party employee at St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School on Friday.

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