1st confirmed COVID-19 case confirmed at Mohawk College Stoney Creek campus

Hamilton Public Health Services has confirmed the first COVID-19 case connected to Mohawk College's Stoney Creek Campus.

The infected individual has been communicating with public health from home and has been following pandemic protocols, the city of Hamilton sad in a news release late Friday afternoon.

It's unclear if the infected individual is a student or staff member, said Bill Steinberg, the school's spokesperson. It's alsounclear whenthey were last on campus, how long they've been self-isolating, how they got the virus and who may have come in contact with them.

Mohawk College is working with public health officials to contact trace.

Ron McKerlie, the school's president, said while students and staff have done a good job warding off the virus, they "will not be immune from COVID-19 infections as numbers begin to climb across the province."

"We must continue to keep our guard up, following the protocols of the college and of placement partners, and be mindful to protect ourselves and those around us from infection as best we can," he said in a statement included in the release.

INTERACTIVE | Use this map to findCOVID-19 cases in local schools

Public health officials will be responsible for contact tracing and instructing those affected about next steps. The school will clean and sanitize areas the infected individual accessed.

This comes as more local school cases of COVID-19 are popping up. An elementary school in Paris, Ont., declared an outbreak on Friday. McMaster University in Hamilton has had two cases of the virus.

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 September in Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington.