Hamilton’s school boards reported 39 new COVID cases last week
Hamilton schools reported 39 COVID-19 cases and two outbreaks in the first week of March.
School boards reported nearly 50 cases of the virus the previous week.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, which has a student population of approximately 50,000, reported 27 confirmed and probable cases - 20 students and seven staff - between March 1 and 7.
In the same week, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, which serves approximately 29,000 students, reported 12 confirmed and probable student cases of the virus.
There are currently 10 schools in the Catholic board with cases.
The public and Catholic school boards each reported one outbreak last week, both on March 4.
An outbreak was declared at Cathy Wever Elementary School in central Hamilton, where four confirmed and probable cases of the virus were found last week.
An outbreak was also declared at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School on the Mountain after two student cases were found.
Monday marks one month since students returned to in-person learning. Since Feb. 8, there have been approximately 135 cases and six outbreaks at school boards in Hamilton.
Outbreaks at St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School on the west Mountain, A.M. Cunningham Elementary School in central Hamilton and St. Ann Catholic Elementary School in central Hamilton have been declared over.
Outbreaks at St. Eugene Catholic Elementary School in east Hamilton, Cathy Wever and St. Michael remain ongoing.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was offered at St. Eugene on March 4 for both asymptomatic staff and students from isolating cohorts. The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board says results for the 19 tests conducted are still pending.
Asymptomatic testing was also offered to staff and students at Cathedral High School and its feeder elementary schools on Friday and Saturday. Zero positive cases were detected among the 81 tests conducted.
At the public board, asymptomatic testing was offered on Friday to students and staff at Orchard Park Secondary School and its feeder elementary schools. Of the 102 staff and students who volunteered for testing, zero cases were detected.
Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter covering education at The Spectator. Her work is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com