Fourth Waxpool Elementary Staffer Tests Positive For Coronavirus

ASHBURN, VA — A fourth staff member at Waxpool Elementary School in Ashburn has reportedly tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, according to the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) system. The staff member has been self-isolating while recovering from the virus.

Since Waxpool Elementary School has been closed for more than the 14-day period in which coronavirus symptoms could be expected to occur from exposure while the school was open, Loudoun County Public Schools does not plan to make any additional notifications about other staffers at the school who may report positive test results, LCPS Superintendent Eric Williams said Monday in a message to the school community.

Eight LCPS staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus. One of them, Susan Rokus, died last Wednesday. Rokus, 73, worked at Liberty and Pinebrook elementary schools in Loudoun County.

Also on Monday, Williams announced that an LCPS staff member who works in the administration building has tested positive for the coronavirus. The staff member was last in the administration building on March 18 and began exhibiting symptoms the next day. The person is self-isolating at home.

The Loudoun County Health Department is in the process of conducting a contact investigation to identify people who may have had close contact with the staff member at the school administration building. The last school building visited by the staff member was Waxpool Elementary School, where the four positive cases have been reported.

Meanwhile, the latest Waxpool Elementary staff member to test positive was last at the school building on March 11 and did not experience any symptoms from the virus until a few days later. The Loudoun County Health Department is conducting a contact investigation to identify people who may have had close contact with the staff member.

Waxpool Elementary School has been closed to the public and thoroughly cleaned since March 11, Williams said.

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On March 23, a third staff member at Waxpool Elementary tested positive for the coronavirus and was receiving medical care. Michael Pellegrino, the principal of Waxpool Elementary School in Ashburn, gave the school system permission to inform the county school community that he is one of the four positive cases. As of March 21, Pellegrino was not experiencing symptoms and was self-quarantined at home. The fourth Waxpool Elementary School staffer who tested positive is recovering at home.

"I encourage you to continue to practice physical distancing, frequent handwashing and other recommended preventative measures to protect yourself, your family and your community from further spread of this disease," Williams said in the message.

As of Monday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 1,020 COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths. Of the total cases, 136 people are hospitalized.

The Fairfax Health District continues to report the most cases — 224. The next largest numbers are 86 in Arlington County, 79 in Prince William County, 73 in James City County and 61 in Loudoun County.

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