Brownsville Area School District reports one COVID-19 case
An individual who services students at Brownsville Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a letter posted on Brownsville Area School District鈥檚 Facebook page Monday, Superintendent Dr. Keith Hartbauer said the individual鈥檚 last date on campus was Thursday, Sept. 17.
鈥淭hose who were in close contact with the individual have been notified directly and should be self-quarantined through Sept. 27,鈥� Hartbauer wrote.聽Anyone who develops symptoms should quarantine for an additional two weeks from the date the symptoms began, according to the letter.
鈥淥ur decision was not only to follow the CDC and Department of Health guidelines, but we also took it to another level to be safe,鈥� Hartbauer said Monday.
He explained the guidelines say anyone who made 鈥渄irect contact鈥� should be notified and quarantined, defining direct contact as being within 6 feet of a person for more than 15 minutes. Instead, the school notified anyone who may have been in or near the same room as the person. That included less than 10 people, he said, who were all notified 鈥渇irst thing in the morning.鈥�
He said they also extended the time frame where a person could develop symptoms, because symptoms typically appear within three to four days.
The case does not change how students will be taught. Under the district鈥檚 reopening plan, elementary students receive in-person instruction Monday through Thursday, with virtual learning Fridays.