1 new outbreak and 10 more students in Hamilton test positive for COVID-19

Hamilton Public Health Services has declared an outbreak at Frank Panabaker North School after two students tested positive for COVID-19.

The individual cases were announced on Dec. 8 and Dec. 11, and Hamilton's public school board said the school remains open.

"Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is working with public health officials to facilitate case and contact tracing and manage the outbreak. It is vital that personal health information and identifiers are not released, and the privacy of everyone involved is respected," read a notice to families.

Ten more students have the virus too — a total of 24 students in two days.

Among the new cases is the fourth student at R.A. Riddell Elementary School.

"School administrators have notified all impacted families and staff members who are identified as a close contact. The students and staff members associated with the confirmed case will self-isolate for 14 days. [Public health] will connect with close contacts as part of their contact tracing process," read a letter to families.

There's no outbreak at the school.

Three other public school students also tested positive.

Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School, Billy Green Elementary School and Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School all had an infected student each.

6 Catholic school students test positive

The Catholic school board reported six new COVID-19 cases, but no new outbreaks.

Two students at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School tested positive.

"The one student was last in the school on Monday, Dec. 7, the second [student] on Tuesday, Dec. 8," read a message to families.

There are two other recent cases at the school. There have been four classes closed as a result.

St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School also had a pair of students become infected, both of whom last attended school on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Two classes are closed at the school.

St. Michael Catholic Elementary School had two students test positive as well.

One student was last in the school on Thursday, Dec. 3, while the second student last attended on Monday, Dec. 7.

One class at the school is closed.