The Okeechobee School District has notified affected students and parents that 22 students and four staff members at OHS may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
Please log in to continue |
OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee School District has notified affected students and parents that 22 students and four staff members may have been exposed to COVID-19. These students and staff members will be excluded from Okeechobee High School for a period of 14 days.
The health department has also contacted these individuals with instructions. A message was sent to parents of the students identified as close contacts, if an email address was available in Skyward. A phone message was also sent.
“We will transition the above mentioned students to Option 2 during the 14 days,” explained Assistant Superintendent Dylan Tedders.
The letter sent to parents explained:
Re: Potential Coronavirus Exposure
This morning the District was notified by the Department of Health that a staff member at Okeechobee High School tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was last on campus Thursday, October 1, 2020.
We are working closely with the Department of Health to identify those who may have been in direct contact with the staff member. We will assist in the Department’s efforts to provide information in regards to contact tracing. If you have potentially been exposed, the Department of Health will reach out to you as a part of the contact tracing efforts. We will protect the confidentiality of those involved in this incident.
We have taken the necessary steps to sanitize any areas which may have been compromised, as outlined in the District’s Reopening Plan. The District continues to adhere to CDC guidelines, which include the use face coverings, maintaining social distancing whenever possible, and checking the temperature of everyone who arrives on campus. We encourage everyone to be observant of symptoms that could develop within the next 14 days. You may want to seek advice on testing from a medical professional or be tested immediately if symptoms arise.
All students and staff must remain home while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. It is very important that any student or staff member who takes a COVID-19 immediately notify the Human Resources Department at (863) 462-5000, Ext. 1022.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joseph G. Stanley, SHRM-CP
Director of Human Resources
