Schools
Murrieta Valley HS Employee Tests Negative For Coronavirus
The Murrieta Valley High School employee whose possible COVID-19 case closed the school has tested negative for the virus, officials said.
MURRIETA, CA — The Murrieta Valley High School employee whose possible COVID-19 case prompted officials to shut the school down and isolate 71 students has tested negative for the virus, officials announced Monday evening.
The school will reopen for classes on Wednesday, the Murrieta Valley Unified School District said in a Facebook post.
"Students and staff under self-quarantine will be notified by Riverside Public Health officially stating that they do not need to take this extra precaution at this time and may return to school on Wednesday with all other students," the district wrote.
Find out what's happening in Murrietafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The district had announced Saturday that the employee, who has not been identified, was being tested for COVID-19 after having recently traveled to a country with a known coronavirus outbreak. The closure went into effect Monday.
Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in Riverside County. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.
Find out what's happening in Murrietafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Public health officials also issued exclusion orders to 71 students who may have come into contact with the employee, asking them to self-quarantine.
Earlier Monday, before the test result was announced, district officials said the MVHS facility had been deep-cleaned and disinfected, following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meanwhile, Riverside County announced three new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the county's confirmed total to six — although two of those patients have not been to Riverside County since they were infected.
The coronavirus threat also forced the cancelation of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and may cancel or delay the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and the Stagecoach country music festival.
Related coverage:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
