COVID-19 cases in Hamilton schools this February almost half of what they were in December
There were no positive cases after school boards tested 285 students for COVID-19 late last week
The number of COVID-19 cases in Hamilton's public and Catholic school boards this February was nearly half of the number seen in December.
February saw 98 cases (some of which didn't expose other students and some of which were among people in remote learning) and four outbreaks since returning to in-person learning on Feb. 8. December saw 176 cases and at least twice as many outbreaks.
The drastic difference in positive test results show the virus was infecting students and staff at a much higher rate before the winter break.
It also reflects lower community numbers overall. In December, Hamilton was dealing with a surge in cases. There are predictions of another lockdown coming before April.
COVID testing late last week in schools saw no new cases
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board spokesperson Shawn McKillop said in an email, it tested 142 students and staff on Friday and detected no cases of the virus using rapid, antigen tests. That number is higher than the 86 people tested previously tested.
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board spokesperson Marnie Jadon said it also found no COVID-19 cases.
"We had 14 staff and 15 students take part in the testing at St. Ann Hamilton on Feb. 25. This clinic used the PCR test," read her email.
"The testing clinics at St. John Henry Newman had 21 staff and 22 students on Feb. 26, and 31 staff and 40 students on Feb. 27. The latter was a hub clinic for St. John Henry Newman feeder schools. These two clinics used the PanBio test."
The results also indicate COVID-19 isn't spreading in schools like it may have been before. The city's medical officer of health previously said schools aren't a vector for the virus.
18 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in schools
But the virus is still on the move, with COVID-19 infecting 17 more students and staff since Friday morning.
Of the new cases, 11 have led other students and staff to self-isolate.
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is reporting eight cases that may have exposed others, including:
- A Sherwood Secondary School student.
- A Helen Detwiler Elementary School student.
- A Sir William Osler Elementary School student.
- A Nora Frances Henderson student.
- Two Queensdale Elementary School students.
- A Waterdown District High School student.
- A Cathy Wever Elementary School staff member.
There's also a probable COVID-19 case in a Queensdale Elementary School staff member.
Hamilton's Catholic school board is reporting four new cases, two of which took place within St. Charles Adult and Continuing Education sites.
"The first, a learner at the St. Charles Barlake location, was last in the school on Monday, February 22, 2021. The second learner, from St. Charles East 5th Street, last attended on Tuesday, February 23, 2021," read a letter to families.
"Any learners, 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."
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) also had a St. Marguerite d'Youville student last in school on Feb. 24 and an Annunciation of Our Lord student last in school on Feb. 25 test positive.
Some students struggling to follow COVID-19 rules
In a message to families, Queen Mary Elementary School principal Kelly McCrory reminded parents to speak to their children about the COVID-19 protocols in school.
"Although most of our students are managing the protocols including social distancing and mask wearing, we know there are some that are struggling. We are committed to supporting mental health and teaching self regulation skills to students," read the message.
"We will continue to work with families to keep all students safe at school. We appreciate your support at home to screen daily for illness and symptoms."
The message also included a list of precautions with many of the basic principles like masking, hand-washing/sanitization and distancing.
Attention parents, students and teachers: We want to hear from you!
We hope you'll use this form to tell us about school conditions, how classes are going or whatever other pressing issues are on your mind this February in Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington.