Loyola Academy Teacher Tests Positive For Coronavirus

WILMETTE, IL — A teacher at Loyola Academy tested positive for the new coronavirus Saturday, becoming the first member of the school community to have a confirmed case of COVID-19, school officials announced.

"The individual is recovering at home and has our full support," President Pat McGrath and Principal Charles Heintz said in a letter to students and parents. "Please join us in praying for our community member's quick recovery and comfort while combating this illness."

The educator last had contact with students on March 12 and did not show symptoms until Friday — 18 days later. Public health officials believe the virus has a 14-day incubation period.

McGrath and Heintz asked community members to monitor themselves for any symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by a novel strain of the coronavirus that first emerged in Humans last year in China. Symptoms include a fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

"In light of the far-reaching and rapidly developing effects of COVID-19, the number of anticipated cases and the statewide stay-at-home order, we will not notify the entire school community of every additional confirmed case moving forward," McGrath and Heintz said. "However, please know that we will continue to do everything in our power to protect students and staff during this time."

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Earlier this month, Loyola Academy, the largest private high school in Illinois, became the second Chicago area school to shutter due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus — although it reopened two days later.

Classes were canceled on March 9 after a school officials learned a student had contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

At the time, only seven Illinois residents had tested positive for the virus and fewer than 250 had been tested.

As of Monday, there were 1,285 confirmed infections and six people had died in the state, according to state health officials.

The school remained closed for two days but reopened on March 11 following a deep cleaning of the building. On March 13, Gov. JB Pritzker ordered all public and private schools in Illinois to close.

According to a letter to the parents, Loyola has instituted an e-learning protocol until the start of spring break on April 9. School officials hope to resume classes at Loyola's Wilmette campus on April 20.