First confirmed COVID-19 outbreak within Hamilton Catholic school board

The first outbreak of COVID-19 associated with the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) was confirmed by local public health officials at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elemen

The first outbreak of COVID-19 associated with the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) was confirmed by local public health officials at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School Tuesday (Oct. 13).

According to provincial guidelines, 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
• At least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school (including transportation and before and after school care)

“The Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board is working with public health officials to facilitate case and contact tracing and manage the outbreak,” according to the City and the school board in a joint media release. “It is vital that personal health information and identifiers are not released, and the privacy of everyone involved is respected.”

Hamilton has had 15 positive COVID-19 cases in schools and learning centres.