Loudoun School Principal Tests Positive For Coronavirus

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA —Two additional Loudoun County Public Schools staff members, including a principal of an elementary school, have tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, bringing the current total to three staff members who have tested positive, according to Loudoun County Public Schools.

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 two new positive cases. Pellegrino is currently not experiencing symptoms and is self-quarantined at home, the school system said Saturday.

"Waxpool Elementary School Principal Michael Pellegrino has chosen to share with his school community that he is the second staff member that tested positive at Waxpool Elementary School," Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Eric Williams said Saturday in a message to staff members, students and families. "We are pleased that he is currently not experiencing symptoms."

The first case in the Loudoun County school system was another staff member at Waxpool Elementary School, who has not been identified. On Thursday, the school system said the staff member is recovering at home.

Several other members of the Waxpool Elementary School community "are symptomatic and have test results pending," Williams said in his message.

The other new positive coronavirus case in the Loudoun school system announced Saturday is a staff member who is associated with both Liberty Elementary School and Pinebrook Elementary School. The staff member is receiving medical care, the school system said. Liberty Elementary School is located in South Riding and Pinebrook Elementary is located in Aldie.

The Loudoun County Health Department is conducting an investigation related to Pellegrino's positive test and is in the process of calling each person identified as having had close contact with him. The health department told the school system that people should expect to be contacted by phone on Saturday.

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The health department said it already reached every individual who was identified as having close contact with the first staff member at Waxpool Elementary School who tested positive for coronavirus.

For the person associated with Liberty Elementary School and Pinebrook Elementary School, the county health department is conducting a contact investigation and is in the process of calling each individual identified as having had close contact with the staff member.

"Recognizing that the [Loudoun County Health Department] presumes that community transmission of COVID-19 is occuring, community members may wish to stay home, even if they feel fine, except for essential trips," Williams said.

Williams also said it is "very important that we refrain from speculation and passing on unverified rumors."

Virginia health officials said Saturday morning the state has 152 confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus. The 152 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus are 38 more than health officials reported Friday. The Fairfax County Health Department reported Saturday that a county resident has died from the coronavirus, increasing the number of coronavirus deaths in Virignia to three.

As of Saturday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 14 cases of the coronavirus in Loudoun County.

“We should anticipate that we will continue to see new cases of COVID-19 in our community as testing increases,” Loudoun County Health Director Dr. David Goodfriend said Saturday in a statement. “I encourage everyone to remain vigilant in taking the appropriate steps to limit the spread of the virus, particularly taking seriously the recommendations for practicing social distancing until further notice.”

Public health officials in Northern Virginia have noted evidence of community transmission of the coronavirus in parts of the region. This means that for some people who tested positive, the source of infection could not be identified.

The Loudoun health department has been urging people to avoid gathering outdoors in open spaces, such as playgrounds. Across the Northern Virginia region, with schools closed, residents have seen young people playing in groups and using playground equipment.

"Loudoun County encourages everyone in the community to refrain from gathering in groups and encourages everyone to practice social distancing, which generally means maintaining six feet between you and others at all times," the health department said.

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