OKEECHOBEE – Twenty-three South Elementary School students and one staff member have been required to stay home and isolate for 14 days following possible exposure to a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

In a letter to parents, Dr. Joseph Stanley, director of human resources for the Okeechobee County School District, indicated the student who tested positive was last on campus on Oct. 21.

“We are working closely with the Department of Health to identify those who may have been in direct contact with the student. 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,” he wrote.

“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.”