Loudoun School Staffer Who Distributed Chromebooks Tests Positive

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) staff member who participated in a Chromebook distribution program at Madison’s Trust Elementary School in Brambleton on Tuesday has tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, the school system said Friday.

The staff member, who is currently self-isolating, last worked at Madison’s Trust Elementary on Tuesday and began exhibiting symptoms on Thursday. LCPS staff members were following recommended social-distancing guidelines throughout the Chromebook distribution process, LCPS Superintendent Eric Williams said Friday night in a message to the county's school community.

The Virginia Department of Health has updated its guidelines to define “close contacts” as people who have had close contact within six feet for 10 minutes or more with a person who tests positive for coronavirus starting from 48 hours before symptom onset.

The Loudoun County Health Department will conduct an investigation to identify and communicate with people believed to have had close contact with the staff member, if there are any, Williams said.

LCPS began distributing Chromebooks last week to students in grades 3-12 who do not already have one. The county schools system also has purchased mobile hotspots to help ensure students have access to Internet-based instruction during the extended closure of schools due to the new coronavirus.

Internet-based instruction in Loudoun public schools is scheduled to start on April 14.

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Meanwhile, Williams on Thursday announced that a LCPS transportation staff member who has supported the school system's meal service program had tested positive for the coronavirus. The staff member is self-isolating.

According to the Loudoun County Health Department, there currently is no evidence showing that the coronavirus can be transmitted by food.

The number of positive cases of the coronavirus jumped above 2,000 in Virginia on Friday, with deaths now standing at 46, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Loudoun County has reported 130 positive cases of the coronavirus.

More than 10 LCPS staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease. One LCPS staff member has died from COVID-19.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday urged all residents to wear a cloth mask if they must leave their home. In light of the state's prohibition of wearing masks law, Northam said Friday that "no law enforcement will be bothering anybody because they have a covering on their face."

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