Richmond-Burton High School District 157 announced Tuesday that 10 students and a staff member have confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Families at both the high school district and Nippersink School District 2, which feeds into it, who had students in close contact with anyone who had a confirmed case were notified, said Tom Lind, the superintendent for both districts.
The district on Friday sent 15 letters to households with members who had close contact with any of the people who have tested positive for the virus, Lind said.
Both districts are using fully remote learning models, with no in-person instruction through the first quarter of the academic year. The positive cases will not impact educational activity.
“However, if we had been in person at this time we would have had to revert back to remote learning until we were confident the outbreak was contained,” Lind said in an email to the Northwest Herald. “That’s why it is so important our students avoid large gatherings where social distancing cannot be maintained. By doing that, wearing a mask when appropriate and washing their hands regularly we can keep these types of outbreaks to a minimum and get back to in person education sooner. “
Lind’s letter to families encouraged both those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and those who believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 to get evaluated by medical professionals.
“We ask for your cooperation as we go through our contact tracing protocols, and you can be assured all information will remain confidential,” Lind said in the letter.
It also said students can receive a voucher for a free COVID-19 test at area pharmacies by visiting the website DoINeedACovid19Test.com.
