Covid cases temporarily close 2 Hempfield elementary schools

Two Hempfield Area elementary schools are closed Monday because of positive covid-19 cases, district officials said.

Fort Allen and West Hempfield elementary schools shuttered after cases were reported among staff and students, according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki.

District leaders announced Fort Allen’s closure Friday after an additional student tested positive for covid-19, Wolicki said. According to an online tracker, there are now two active cases at the school. A letter was sent Sunday regarding West Hempfield after district leaders were notified that two students tested positive.

Students will learn virtually until buildings reopen Tuesday.

Guidance released last month by the state’s Department of Education states a school’s closure cannot be less than the recommended number of days if served by the state’s health department. The number of days a school is required to be closed is based on school size and community spread.

Per that guidance, both Fort Allen and West Hempfield elementary schools would be required to close for three days, but district leaders are counting the weekend as two of those days, Wolicki said. She noted, however, that if more positive cases are reported Monday, the number of remote days may need to be extended.

According to a tracker on the district’s website, there are currently 10 active cases in the district. Of that, eight are students and two are staffers.

As of Monday, there were two cases at Fort Allen, five at West Point elementary and one each at Harrold middle, Hempfield Area High School and Stanwood elementary. In addition to those positive cases, 11 staffers are also quarantined after being identified as close contacts.