UPDATE: Second Newton school employee diagnosed with the coronavirus

A second Newton County school system employee has tested positive or the coronavirus, the district said Wednesday.

The employee, who was not identified, works at Clements Middle School in Covington, the district posted on its website.

“According to the health department, this employee did not begin exhibiting symptoms until after schools were closed,” the district said. “Because this individual was not present in any of our buildings and did not have any contact with students or staff at the onset of symptoms, the health department has informed us that the risk of transmission is extremely low for our students and staff.

» COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia

On Sunday, the school system said an employee of the Newton County Theme School had also tested posted. The Covington school has students from kindergarten through 8th grade, according to the district. The Gwinnett-Newton-Rockdale Department of Health informed the district of the positive diagnosis Sunday.

“The Health Department is conducting an investigation and is working to identify close contacts of the employee and take every precaution necessary to ensure the health and safety of those individuals,” the district posted.