A Southwest Georgia school system announced Friday that it would be closed for two weeks after learning an employee may have coronavirus.
Seminole County School System was notified Thursday night that an employee showed symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel virus, according to a note on the district’s website.
“This employee was possibly exposed to the virus in a physician’s office in another state,” according to the school’s statement. “We called parents and guardians of all students who were in contact with this employee, and will continue to follow the protocol recommended by the Georgia Department of Health while we wait for the test results.”
The school was slated begin spring break Monday, March 16. To “minimize risk to students,” Seminole County officials have chosen to keep the school district closed until March 27. Students and staff will return Monday, March 30. Superintendent Mark Earnest said that the closure was tentative, and parents would be informed if students can return sooner.
“ We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we go through these unchartered times,” Earnest said in a statement. “As always, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff will be at the forefront of all decision-making.”
The state Department of Public Health announced that there are 42 confirmed cases as of early Friday. Cases have been confirmed in Cobb, Fulton, Bartow, Cherokee, Coweta, DeKalb, Fayette and Gordon counties.
Several school systems, including Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas and Fulton counties, have decided to close and/or implement digital learning days for students until the end of March.
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