More COVID-19 cases reported among Hamilton students and school staff

COVID-19 cases continue to be reported at Hamilton schools, infecting students, staff and a bus driver.

Three students at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School, who were last in the building on Oct. 9, have the virus, according to a letter to familiesfromprincipal Kevin Mielko.

The positive test results were confirmed onOct. 18, but the principal says there are no school-related close contactsand "therefore no risk to the school community."

Sacred Heartwas the site of the city's first COVID-19 outbreak at a school after two staff members were infected.

Two classrooms remained closed as of Monday.

New cases continued to be reported with the city's public board as well.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) says three students, twostaff members and a bus driver have tested positive for the virus.

Among them is a student atTiffany Hills Elementary School, the second case at the Ancaster school.

A letterfrom principalJane Gerritsensays they were last in the building on Oct. 7 and the school was notified of the positive test on Oct. 18.

Students atSir Allan MacNab Secondary School andSaltfleet District High School have also tested positive, according to the board.

The MacNab student last visited the building on Oct. 13 and the test results were shared withthe board on Monday.

"As a precautionary measure, the class of students associated with this case have received instruction from [public health]to not attend school and isolate for a 14-day period," wrote principalGregory Clarkin a letter to parents and caregivers.

SaltfleetprincipalChristine Nicolaidessays the HWDSB also found out a student had tested positive Monday, adding that person was last in the school on Oct. 2.

However, public health officials have determined there were no close contacts with students or staff because the person in question had not been in the building when there was a risk of exposure.

Public health "considers the risk to other students and staff low," she said.

Staff cases at Glendale and Highview

The most-recent staff cases of COVID-19 with the public board are atHighview Elementary School andGlendale Secondary School.

Two people associated withGlendale have tested positive. The first is a staff member whose most recent visit to the school was on Oct. 6. PrincipalBarry Smith says public health has determined there are no student or staff close contacts.

The second case is a driver with the Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services.

The principal says that person's positive test results were shared with the school board on Monday.

"The impacted students have been notified by the transportation operator and the school," Smith writes, adding public health willreach out to close contacts and direct them to "self-isolate for a determined time."

The Highview staff memberwas last in the elementary school on Oct. 16 and the board was notified two days later that the personhad tested positive.

Some students and staff are being directed to self-isolate and wait for further direction from public health.

The letters from principals following each positive case ask families to continue screening students, but add they should continue to attend school unless they have symptoms, have been in close contact with a case or have been directed by public health to stay home.

Following confirmation of a COVID-19 case, the HWDSBsays it follows a "detailed cleaning and disinfecting protocol." Students and staff will only be allowed back into a school space once the board is "confident it is safe to use."

Student case reported at McMaster,Redeemer and Mohawk

McMaster, meanwhile, is reporting the seventh case of COVID-19 linked to its campus.

A student tested positive on Oct. 18 and notified the universityMonday, according to an update on itswebsite.

The person was last on campus on Oct. 15 and spent time in several areas of the Michael G. DeGroote Centre forLearning and Discovery.

"All areas of the building, as well as all applicable lab equipment, have since been thoroughly cleaned," saidMcMaster, adding public health will carry out contact tracing.

Redeemer University has its first COVID-19 case.

The school says theinfected student was last on campus during the morning of Oct.15 and was fully complying with Redeemer's health and safety protocols and guidelines.

"The student, who is currently isolating at home, notified the university promptly after testing positive and has been forthcoming with helpful information, which has assisted Redeemer in responding quickly and efficiently," reads a release.

"Redeemer is following comprehensive protocols, developed earlier in consultation with public health officials, for any confirmed cases of COVID-19. Contact tracing is being managed by Hamilton Public Health, with the cooperation of Redeemer staff, and public health officials will directly communicate with contacts as required."

Mohawk College'sStoney Creek Campus also reported a student case of COVID-19.

They were last on campus on Oct. 13 for a class. The school says the student "followed all required protocols for entry prior to experiencing symptoms and testing positive for COVID-19."

"The student and Mohawk College have been cooperating with public health officials in relation to this situation ... some people who may have had casual contact with the affected student are being asked to self-monitor their health for the next 14 days. They have already been notified."

Cases atGrimsby Secondary and Port Weller

A person at Grimsby Secondary School has tested positive for the virus.

"Students andstaff have been contacted andadvised as needed. The school has been thoroughly cleaned and public healthwill do an on-site assessment," read a tweet from the school board.

There's also a case at Port Weller Public School.

"Port Weller PS will continue with preventative COVID-19 practices such as wearing PPE, physical distancing, hand hygiene, anddaily health screening," said the board.

Brant Hills student in Burlington tests positive

A student at Brant Hills Public School in Burlingtonhas tested positive for the virus.

The school learned of the result on Sunday.

It says public health contacted the cohorts who were deemed high and low risk contacts.

Staff and families have also been notified.