D-205 Reveals Virus Case Numbers

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst school system this week revealed how the coronavirus has affected its students and staff so far.

Since athletics started in mid-August, 17 students and six staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus in Elmhurst School District 205. These numbers were disclosed during Tuesday night's school board meeting.

The district also reported that 356 students and 93 employees have been either quarantined or been found symptomatic of the virus at some point since mid-August. Such numbers of personnel affected present staffing challenges for the district, Assistant Superintendent Kevin Rubenstein told the school board.

These numbers come at a time when many students have yet to start in-person learning. Over the next couple of weeks, middle school students and 10th through 12th graders are slated to return.

The vast majority of the impacted students, Rubenstein said, are athletes. He said the statistics show students are not taking quarantining, social distancing and "what we are asking them to do really very seriously."

"That's a big problem if we want to get back to any semblance of normalcy, like all of us do," Rubenstein said.

The district is about ready to launch an online dashboard that will give statistics on how many students and employees are diagnosed with the virus or are being quarantined or considered symptomatic. It is set to be updated every Friday. Officials said this is part of their effort to be open with the public on the virus' impact.

The district has declined previously to provide specifics on affected students and staff. In early September, when Patch asked about a reported outbreak in the high school's multi-needs classrooms, the district declined to give specific numbers. It would only say "several" employees were in quarantine or self-isolation after they became exposed to the virus.

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