Westdale student, Dalewood staff member latest COVID-19 cases linked to Hamilton schools

A student at Westdale Secondary School and a staff member at Dalewood Elementary are the latest cases of COVID-19 connected toschools in Hamilton.

The Westdale student was last in school on Oct. 9, according to a letter to families from principal Josh Connor, that said the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) was notified of the positive case Saturday.

Public health has completed an assessment and determined there were no student or staff close contacts, including in study halls or on school busses, the letter reads.

"As such, [public health] considers the risk to other students and staff low," it states.

The board was also made aware a staff member at Dalewood had tested positive Saturday.

They last visited the buildingon Oct. 13, wrote principalJacqueline Johnson in a separate letter to the school's community.

"As a precautionary measure, the students and staff associated with this case will self-isolate for a 14-day period pending further direction from [public health]," Johnson added.

Both principals wrote that the HWDSB is working closely with public health to ensure measures are in place to stop the spread of the virus.

They're asking parents and caregivers to continue having students complete daily screening and attend school unless they've been in close contact with a case of COVID-19.

Any student that develops symptoms must stay home and should be tested, says the board.

When a confirmed case is found, the board follows a "detailed cleaning and disinfecting protocol" and students are only brought back into a school area once it's complete and staff are confident it's safe to use, wrote Johnson.

"Our shared priority is the health and safety of the children and staff in our school community."