COVID-19 outbreak declared at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School in Hamilton

Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak atSir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School after two staff members tested positive this week.

"The two staff members are assigned to our school but do not provide direct instruction to students. There are no student cohorts impacted," read a message from principalGreg Moore to families.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) said it and the school are working with public health to ensure "appropriate measures are in place to prevent the spread of illness to other students or people in the school community.

"Please continue to have your child attend school, unless of course you are a close contact and directed otherwise by HPHS, monitor for symptoms, and perform daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms."

It is thesecond COVID-19 outbreakHamilton's public school board hasfaced this week after two staff members atAdelaide Hoodless Public School got the virus.

It's the third outbreak at HWDSB since the start of the pandemic.

5 more students have COVID-19

Five more students in the board have also been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Two of those cases are in students who are doing remote learning. AnAncaster High Secondary School student tested positive as well, butwas not in the building when there would be a risk of exposure.

A student atQueensdaleElementary School and a student at R.A. Riddell Elementary School both got the virus too.

"School administrators have notified all impacted families and staff members who are identified as a close contact.Thestudents and staff members associated with the confirmed case will self-isolate for 14 days. HPHS will connect with close contacts as part of their contact-tracing process," read a message to families on Wednesday.