Hamilton schools report seven outbreaks, 75 cases in third week back to school
Hamilton schools reported seven COVID-19 outbreaks and 75 new cases in the third week back to school - nearly double the previous week's tally.
Over the weekend, three outbreaks were declared at two elementary schools and one high school in Hamilton.
An outbreak was declared Sunday at Lisgar Elementary School on the Mountain, where there are two cases - one student and one staff. A second outbreak declared the same day at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Elementary School in Stoney Creek has two associated student cases.
On Saturday, an outbreak was declared at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School, where there are two student cases.
Four school outbreaks declared last week include South Meadow Elementary School with three student cases, Lawfield Elementary School and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Elementary School, each with two student cases, and Central Elementary School with four student cases.
The largest ongoing outbreak is at Tapleytown Elementary School in Stoney Creek, which has 10 people - eight students and two staff - infected. There is also an ongoing outbreak at Shannen Koostachin Elementary School, which has two positive student cases.
Outbreaks at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School on the west Mountain and Huntington Park Elementary School on the east Mountain were declared over Sept. 25.
Hamilton schools have reported a total of 12 outbreaks since the beginning of the year.
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."
Hamilton's medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, has repeatedly said that cases and outbreaks are expected in schools.
The experience in those schools s going to reflect what's going on in the community," she said at a Sept. 20 media briefing.
A total of 75 new cases were reported at Hamilton schools between Sept. 20 and 26.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, which has a student population of approximately 50,000, reported 46 cases - 45 students and one staff.
In the same week, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, which has a student population of approximately 29,000, reported 29 cases of the virus - 27 students and two staff.
Since Sept. 4, there have been a total of 137 cases - 122 students and 15 staff - at Hamilton schools.
Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter covering education at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com