Schools
Second Staffer At Loudoun School Tests Positive For Coronavirus
A second Loudoun schools staff member at Liberty Elementary School in South Riding has tested positive for the coronavirus.
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA —A second staff member at Liberty Elementary School in South Riding has tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. The staff member is self-isolating while they recuperate, Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Eric Williams said this week in a message to the school community.
The staff member last worked at Liberty Elementary School on March 11, the last day that LCPS school buildings were open this year.
The only reported death from the coronavirus in Loudoun County was a teacher who also worked at Liberty Elementary School. Susan Rokus, who died in late March, was working at both Liberty and Pinebrook elementary schools in Loudoun County when she became sick.
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The Virginia Department of Health now defines “close contacts” as people who have been within six feet of a person who tests positive for the virus, for 10 minutes or more, starting from 48 hours before symptom onset.
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When provided a report of an LCPS employee positive test for COVID-19, the Loudoun County Health Department determines the need and extent of a contact investigation in accordance with the Virginia health policies and takes action accordingly. In this case, the county health department is advising anyone who may have come into contact with the person and who is ill should self-isolate and contact their physician for further guidance.
More than a dozen Loudoun County Public Schools staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus. Waxpool Elementary School in Ashburn has the most cases, with four staff members testing positive.
On Thursday, Virginia health officials reported 4,042 positive cases of the coronavirus and 109 deaths across the state. Loudoun County has reported 258 positive cases of the coronavirus.
On March 13, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered all schools closed. Distance learning for Loudoun County Public Schools students is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 14.
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