COVID-19 cases in Hamilton schools this February almost half of what they were in December

The number of COVID-19 cases inHamilton's public and Catholicschool boardsthisFebruary wasnearly half of the number seen in December.

February saw98 cases (some of which didn't expose other students and some of which were among people in remote learning) and four outbreaks since returning to in-person learning on Feb. 8. Decembersaw 176 cases and at least twice as manyoutbreaks.

The drastic differencein positive test results show the virus was infecting students and staff at a much higher rate before the winter break.

It alsoreflects lower community numbers overall. In December, Hamilton was dealing with a surge in cases. There are predictions of anotherlockdown coming before April.

COVID testing late last week inschoolssaw no new cases

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board spokesperson Shawn McKillop said in an email,it tested142students and staff on Friday and detected no cases of the virus using rapid, antigen tests. That number is higher than the 86 people tested previously tested.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board spokesperson Marnie Jadon said it also found no COVID-19 cases.

"We had 14 staff and 15 students take part in the testing at St. Ann Hamilton on Feb. 25. This clinic used the PCR test," read her email.

"The testing clinics at St. John Henry Newman had 21 staff and 22 students on Feb. 26, and 31 staff and 40 students on Feb. 27. The latter was a hub clinic for St. John Henry Newman feeder schools. These two clinics used the PanBio test."

The results also indicate COVID-19 isn't spreading in schools like it may have been before. The city's medical officer of health previously said schools aren't a vector for the virus.

18new confirmedCOVID-19 cases in schools

But the virus is still on the move,with COVID-19 infecting17 more students and staff since Friday morning.

Of the new cases, 11 have ledother students and staff to self-isolate.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is reporting eight cases that may have exposed others, including:

• ASherwood Secondary School student.
• AHelen Detwiler Elementary School student.
• ASir William Osler Elementary School student.
• ANora Frances Henderson student.
• TwoQueensdale Elementary School students.
• AWaterdown District High School student.
• A Cathy Wever Elementary School staff member.

There's also a probable COVID-19 case in a Queensdale Elementary School staff member.

Hamilton's Catholic school board is reporting four new cases, two of which took place withinSt. Charles Adult and Continuing Education sites.

"The first, a learner at the St. Charles Barlake location, was last in the school on Monday, February 22, 2021. The second learner, from St. Charles East 5th Street, last attended on Tuesday, February 23, 2021," read a letter to families.

"Any learners, staff or cohorts that are required to quarantine will be notified immediately by the school and will be contacted by Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) within the next two days. Persons who test positive for COVID-19 may not return to school until they are cleared by HPHS."

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) also had aSt. Marguerite d'Youville student last in school on Feb. 24 and anAnnunciation of Our Lord student last in school on Feb. 25 test positive.

Some students struggling to follow COVID-19 rules

In a message to families, Queen Mary Elementary School principalKelly McCroryreminded parents to speak to their children about the COVID-19 protocols in school.

"Although most of our students are managing the protocols including social distancing and mask wearing, we know there are some that are struggling. We are committed to supporting mental health and teaching self regulation skills to students," read the message.

"We will continue to work with families to keep all students safe at school. We appreciate your support at home to screen daily for illness and symptoms."

The message also included a list of precautions with many of the basic principles like masking, hand-washing/sanitization and distancing.

Attention parents, students and teachers: We want to hear from you!

We hope you'll use this form to tell us about school conditions, how classes are going or whatever other pressing issues are on your mind this Februaryin Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington.