COVID-19 outbreak declared at St. Eugene Catholic Elementary School in Hamilton

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Boardis dealing with its third COVID-19 outbreak after declaring one atSt. Eugene Catholic Elementary School on Tuesday.

That's four outbreaks in Hamilton schools in one week.

St. Eugene has had three cases of the virus, the most recent being announced Tuesday evening after a staff member was infected.

A letter to families states the person waslast in the school on Friday, Feb. 19.

"Any students, 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," principalLinda Spadaforasaid in a letter.

In a separate letter, the principal wrote: "The outbreak is related to the group currently in quarantine.Persons who test positive for COVID-19 may not return to school until they are cleared by HPHS."

Two classes at the school are closed.

The other outbreaks include:

• St. AnnCatholic Elementary School with three cases and two closed classrooms.
• St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Elementary School with nine cases and a closed school.
• A.M. Cunningham Elementary School with two cases.

There's also one outbreak that is associated to a school the outbreak at the Umbrella Family Child Care Centre atCathy Wever Elementary School with two cases.

Localschool boards have been doingtargeted testing to find any cases in asymptomatic people who are isolating.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board reportedtwo new cases throughout its schoolsWednesday, only one of which exposed others. AnEastdale Elementary School student tested positive for COVID-19.