Dr. J.E. Davey Elementary School in Hamilton moves to online learning this week

A Hamilton elementary school will be switching to online learning as of Monday due to growing COVID-19 cases there.

An outbreak was declared at Dr. J.E. Davey Elementary School, near Wilson St. and Wellington St. N., on Thursday.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board says the closure is due to the number of staff close contacts identified in the tracing.

According to the board, the school is unable to provide appropriate staffing levels to ensure safety and to support student programming.

The board reported the first case of the virus on Mar. 15 in a staff member.

Since then, another staff member and eight students have tested positive, including three positive student cases reported Sunday.

According to Hamilton Public Health some have screened positive for variants of concern.

Students will transition back to in-person learning on Monday, Mar. 29.