Steady rise in school outbreaks ‘concerning’

The city’s public and Catholic school boards have reported 36 outbreaks since fall opening

Hamilton public health says it is “closely” monitoring COVID-19 trends as the province reports record-high numbers of outbreaks in elementary schools.

The province reported 219 active outbreaks in elementary schools Tuesday, surpassing third-wave highs that shuttered schools.

As of Wednesday, that number had increased to 239.

Medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, said local and provincial projections are “concerning and makes it clear we must keep our guards up.”

“We must all stay vigilant and continue following the well-established public health measures,” she said.

Nearly half of the 16 active outbreaks in Hamilton are in schools. There are currently seven ongoing outbreaks — six public and Catholic elementary schools and a private Christian high school.

As of Dec. 8, public and Catholic schools have reported 36 outbreaks since September — one more than the second half of the 2020-21 school year.

In an email to The Spectator, public health spokesperson James Berry said there is “no significant difference found in school-related outbreak magnitude” between this year in last.

For both, about 85 per cent of outbreaks involved between two and five cases.

Elementary schools make up 84 per cent of school outbreaks in Hamilton since September, he said.

“Elementary schools are assumed to have lower vaccination rates since the (age) five to 11 population has only recently become eligible for COVID-19 vaccination,” he said.

As of Tuesday, 21 per cent of the age group had received their first vaccine dose compared to 83 per cent of those ages 12 to 17.

Disparities in school vaccination rates, which range from 25 to 90 per cent, show that socioeconomics and religion are driving factors.

Public health and infectious disease experts have repeatedly said outbreaks are expected with the return to in-person learning.

Dr. Martha Fulford, infectious disease specialist at McMaster Children’s Hospital, said the provincial definition — two or more linked cases in a 14-day period — is “unbelievably strict.”

She said there are no COVID patients at MacKids. Hospitalizations among children have remained low throughout the pandemic.

“Cases do not equate disease,” she said.

Disparities in school vaccination rates, which range from 25 to 90 per cent, show that socioeconomics and religion are driving factors SCAN TO SEE MORE REPORTING ON EDUCATION FROM THE SPEC’S KATE MCCULLOUGH.