Outbreaks declared at two Hamilton schools

Hamilton public health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a central Hamilton elementary school.

Strathcona Elementary School is in outbreak as of Wednesday after a second student tested positive for the virus the same day. A student previously tested positive on April 3.

These are the first Strathcona cases reported by the board since the Feb. 8 return to school.

In an April 7 letter to families, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board said the school will contact any close contacts.

An outbreak was also declared at Bellstone Christian School in Mount Hope, where 10 people - nine students and one staff - are infected.

The outbreak at Bellstone is not linked to a variant of concern, according to public health.

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."

As of Wednesday morning, there are a total of 15 ongoing outbreaks at Hamilton schools. Since schools reopened to in-person learning, there have been a total of 30 outbreaks at Hamilton schools.

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