Fourth student at west Hamilton high school tests positive for COVID-19
A fourth student at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School has tested positive for COVID-19, while Hamilton's public board is reporting two new cases of the virus in its schools.
The student at the west Hamilton school was last in the building on Oct. 15, according to a letter sent to parents Thursday - the same day the positive result was confirmed to Hamilton's Catholic board.
But there has been no impact on the school, stated the board, as Hamilton public health has indicated that there are no school-related close contacts with this individual."
The new case follows three other St. Mary students testing positive for the virus this week.
The other cases were last in the building on Oct. 16, according to letters sent to families on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Two classrooms at the school have been closed, according to the board's COVID-19 advisory report.
In an email to The Spectator, Hamilton public health spokesperson Jacqueline Durlov said as of Thursday, an outbreak has not been declared at the school, as it does not meet the criteria of a school outbreak.
According to provincial guidelines, an outbreak is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students or staff in one school. An outbreak is declared if these cases are connected in some way or if a link between the two can't be ruled out.
At Highview Elementary School, a student who tested positive for COVID-19 was last in the building on Monday, principal Jamie McLean wrote in a letter to parents.
The positive test result was confirmed to the board on Thursday.
McLean went on to add that students and staff members, as well as those in the before- and after-school program have been instructed to self-isolate.
(Hamilton public health) will connect with individuals as part of the contact tracing process," McLean wrote.
At Dundas Valley Secondary School, a student who tested positive for COVID-19 was last in the building on Tuesday, principal Gail Cipriani wrote in a letter. The board was notified of the result on Thursday.
As a precautionary measure, the class of students and staff associated with this case have been notified," said Cipriani. (Hamilton public health) will contact close contacts and provide information about how to self-isolate for a 14-day period."
As of Friday, Hamilton's school boards have reported at least 19 new cases of COVID-19 this week. There have been two instances of transmission within a Hamilton school to date.
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com