Seton LaSalle Catholic High School closed at least through Sunday due to 2nd covid case

Seton LaSalle Catholic High School students will be learning remotely starting Friday after a second person at the school tested positive for covid-19.

All activities in the building this weekend have been canceled as well, according to a release from the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

It is unclear when the school will reopen.

“School administrators, in collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department, will make a decision on when to reopen and resume activities based on the results of the contact tracing and pending test results,” diocese spokesman Bob DeWitt said.

Parents were informed of the closure and will be updated through the school’s communication channels, DeWitt said.

This is only the second reported covid case in the school and its first shutdown this school year.

“We opened with five-day, in-person learning in mid-August and have made it this long without the recommendation of closure,” Principal Lauren Martin said. “We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back into our building next week.”

Michelle Peduto, diocese director of Catholic schools, said Seton LaSalle staffers have done great work this school year under the circumstances.

“I am proud of and grateful for the hard work and dedication of our school administrators as we all continue to navigate through the pandemic,” Peduto said. “Our priority remains keeping our students healthy, safe and learning.”