Outbreaks declared at two Hamilton elementary schools

Hamilton public health has declared COVID-19 outbreaks at two elementary schools.

An outbreak was declared Monday at Lincoln Alexander Elementary School on the Mountain after three positive cases - two students and one staff - were found. A second outbreak was declared at Ryerson Elementary School in central Hamilton, where there are two associated student cases.

Over the weekend, outbreaks were declared at three Hamilton schools: Lisgar Elementary School on the Mountain, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Elementary School in Stoney Creek and Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School in Hannon.

There are 11 ongoing outbreaks at public and Catholic schools in Hamilton. The largest is at Tapleytown Elementary School in Stoney Creek, which has 10 people - eight students and two staff - infected.

Other ongoing outbreaks include South Meadow Elementary School, Lawfield Elementary School, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Elementary School, Central Elementary School and Shannen Koostachin Elementary School.

Since Sept. 4, there have been 14 outbreaks declared at Hamilton schools.

A school outbreak is defined by the province as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases ... with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school."

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter covering education at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com