15 more COVID-19 cases reported at Hamilton schools

Fifteen more cases of COVID-19 were reported by Hamilton's school boards over the weekend.

Seven of the cases were connected to schools with the public board.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) reported five student cases, one staff case and one case where the individual was not identified to protect their privacy, on Sunday.

Two of the student cases were at LisgarElementary School.

Public health will not be declaring an outbreak, but school staff have notified all of the families and staff members who are close contacts and advised them to isolate for 14 days, according to a letter from principalMary Elliot.

The HWDSBwas also notifiedabout a student caseat Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School and Glendale Secondary School as well as a member of the remote learning program.

Letters from the principals of both Nora Frances Henderson and Glendale state that health officials have not found a link between the most-recent cases and past cases at their schools, so outbreaks won't be declared.

The person who was not identified in the board's list is connected to Orchard Park Secondary School.

A staff member at Billy Green Elementary School has also tested positive.

8 cases associated with Catholic board

Three of the cases that were recorded at Catholic schools Sunday were at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School.

A letter to parents says thestudents were last in the school on Dec. 3.

Public health "has indicated that the three cases do not constitute an outbreak," it adds.

Two of the cases were at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary. Both students were last in the building on Dec. 3.

However, a letter to families again says public health has determined an outbreak won't be declared.

The three other cases announced Sunday were atSt. Thrse of Lisieux,Immaculate Conception andSt. John Henry Newman.

In response to the positive cases, the board says it will "undertake a deep cleaning and disinfection of all areas at the school[s] occupied by the symptomatic individual and will ensure all preventive measures are in place."

Niagara College

Niagara College says someone who was at its Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Dec. 2 has tested positive.

Public health has reached out to people who attended class with the individual and directed them to stay home and self-isolate, according to the college.