Staffer at Hempfield middle, elementary schools tests positive for coronavirus

A staff member who works at both West Hempfield elementary and middle schools tested positive for the coronavirus last week, said Superintendent Tammy Wolicki.

The staffer, who was not identified, notified school officials of the positive test Thursday. Contact tracing implemented by the state department of health determined that no other students nor staff are considered “close contacts,” or someone who was within 6 feet of the infected person for longer than 15 minutes.

“Unless an individual has been personally contacted by the department of health or the school nurse we can reasonably assure you that you have not been identified as a ‘close contact’ of a positive case,” Wolicki wrote in a letter to parents that was sent out Friday.

A handful of positive cases have been reported at the district since school resumed at the end of August. The most recent cases were reported Monday at Fort Allen Elementary School, where two staff members tested positive.

That school is now closed until Oct. 13 following state department of education guidelines, which state that if between two and four staff members in the same building test positive within 14 days while a county is in a moderate community transmission level, the school should close for five days. Students will receive remote instruction this week.

At the beginning of the year two high school students tested positive for the coronavirus in unrelated incidents.

Wolicki reminded students and staff to continue to self monitor for symptoms. If symptoms are noticed, or if they are determined to be a close contact, students and staff must stay home and communicate the positive test with the school nurse.

On Monday, the county had the third-highest total of new infections in the state at 45, according to health department data. The death toll stands at 57 in the county.