OKEECHOBEE – The Okeechobee County School District has more reports of potential COVID-19 exposures this week. Students and staff who may have been exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive are excluded from in-person classes and transitioned to Option 2 learning from home for 14 days.

Schools 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.

When a possible COVID-19 exposure occurs at a public school, the health department contacts these individuals with instructions.

• On Nov. 16, the district was notified by the Department of Health that a student at Everglades Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. The student was last on campus Tuesday, Nov. 10. Eight students who may have been exposed to COVID-19 have been excluded from in-person classes for 14 days.

• On Nov. 16, district was notified by the Department of Health that a student at South Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. The student was last on campus Friday, Nov. 13. Fourteen students and one staff member were excluded from South Elementary School for a period of 14 days.

•On Nov. 16, the district was notified by the Department of Health that a student at Osceola Middle School tested positive for COVID-19. The student was last on campus Tuesday, Nov. 10. Twenty students and one staff member were excluded from Osceola Middle School for a period of fourteen days.

• On Nov. 17, the district was notified by the Department of Health that a staff member at Osceola Middle School tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was last on campus Friday, Nov. 13. Six students and four staff members who may have been exposed to COVID-19 have been excluded from in-person classes for 14 days.