CHANDLER, Ariz. — Hamilton High School in Chandler reported there are 32 active COVID-19 cases among its staff and students on Tuesday, according to the Chandler Unified School District's COVID-19 dashboard.
The new amount of cases is three times higher than the next highest amount of COVID-19 cases in the district. Chandler High School is at 10 cases.
“The cases are random and not affiliated with a particular program in a school with 4,258 students and staff," said Community Relations Director for Chandler Unified School District Terry Locke.
The most recent report is a spike from the two cases reported Monday by the school- enough to be considered an outbreak according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Locke said on Monday the school hit the threshold of two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases among students and staff from separate households, with onset within 14 days in a single classroom or core group.
He said the district plans to update its protocols on Tuesday afternoon.
It's unclear what impact the outbreak will have on in-person learning, and on activities before and after school.
The Center for Disease Control said the highly contagious Delta variant is responsible for 83% of new cases, 99% of those are unvaccinated people.
Arizona on Saturday reported over 2,000 additional confirmed COVID-19 infections for the first time in nearly five months amid a continuing increase in the state’s rolling average of new cases and more virus-related hospitalizations.
Arizona has seen a spike in cases since July 4 and hospitals have also seen more inpatient beds in use.
The additional 2,066 cases and 22 deaths increased Arizona’s pandemic totals to 927,235 cases and 18,246 deaths.
This story is still developing, please check back soon for any updates.