14 new COVID-19 cases reported at Hamilton schools, along with 2 outbreaks

Thirteen more students and one more staff member at Hamilton schools have tested positive for COVID-19.

Twelve of the cases are at public schools, including three at R.A. Riddell Elementary School.

A letter from principalDoug Trimblesays the school was notified about that the students were infected on Monday.

School administrators have notified all impacted families and staff members who are identified as a close contact,he wrote."[Public health]will not be declaring an outbreak within our school based on these cases."

An outbreak has been declared atDr. Davey Elementary School following two cases that were reported on Dec. 7and Dec.11respectively.

The school says public health has determined there's an epidemiological link between the cases and that at least one of the people infected could have reasonably acquired it inthe school.

"The school remains open and safe within the context of our enhanced public health measures.An outbreak designation does not mean the school is closed,"reads an update from principalMary Finstaddated Dec. 14.

"The school continues to be a safe with the enhanced public health measures in place for staff and students to learn and work."

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Elementary School also has an outbreak. The city's website says two staff members have the virus.

The outbreak is related to three cohorts that are currently self-isolating,read aletter to families.

"Students and staff should continue to attend school, unless directed otherwise by [public health],and to screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms on the provincialCOVID-19 school screening website," it says.

More public schools with multiplecases

Waterdown District High School and Lisgar Elementary Schoolreported two student cases each on Monday.

Letters to families also state that outbreaks won't be declared at the schools based on their latest cases, adding students were not in the building when there was a risk of exposure so there are no close contacts for anyof them.

Ryerson,EarlKitchener, Spring Valley, Huntington Park and Gordon Price elementary schools also announced one new case each on Monday.

The cases at Ryerson and Earl Kitchenerdon't have any close contacts, according to the schools.

All staff and students at Spring Valley, Huntington Park and Gordon Price who may have been exposed have been notified by administrators and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

2 more cases at Catholic schools

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB), meanwhile, detailed two new cases on Monday.

A student at St.Jean de Brbeufwho was last in the building on Dec. 1has tested positive.

The principalnotes in a letter that there are no school-related close contacts and "no risk to the school."

A staff member atSt. Thomas More who was last in the school on Dec. 11 also has the virus.

"Any students, staff or cohorts that are required to self-isolate will be notified immediately by the school and will be contacted by Hamilton Public Health Services within the next couple of days," reads a letter to families posted on the school's website.

"The HWCDSB will undertake a deep cleaning and disinfection of all areas at the school occupied by the symptomatic individual and will ensure all preventive measures are in place."

There were 17 active student cases and seven active staff cases linked to HWCDSB schools as of Monday.