COVID-19 outbreak declared at Catholic elementary school on Hamilton Mountain

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Published October 28, 2020 at 9:28 am

An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at a Hamilton elementary school on the Central Mountain on Wednesday (Oct. 28).

Two students at St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Elementary School have tested positive for the virus, according to an update provided by the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB).

One classroom has been closed as a result and the staff and students associated with that cohort are asked to isolate for 14 days.

The most recent confirmed student case was last in the classroom on Friday, Oct. 23. The first case was confirmed on Oct. 25 and that student was last at school on Oct. 23 as well.

“As part of its COVID-19 action plan, the HWCDSB has undertaken a deep cleaning and disinfection of all areas at the school occupied by symptomatic individuals and will continue to ensure all preventive measures are in place,” a letter from the school’s principal says.

“The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff is always a priority concern for our school and school board but is especially important as we return to classroom learning during the current pandemic.”

All other staff and students are cleared to attend the school, according to the principal’s letter, and are asked to remain diligent in their screening efforts.

In a press release sent out Wednesday morning, Hamilton’s Public Health Services (PHS) said they are working with the school board to facilitate case and contact tracing and manage the outbreak.

According to the COVID-19 guidance: school outbreak management on the Government of Ontario website, an outbreak in a school is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff (or other visitors) in a school with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school (including transportation and before/after school care).

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