Central Elementary teacher tests positive for COVID-19, Rockbridge County school officials say

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — School officials in Rockbridge County announced Saturday the discovery of a positive coronavirus case involving a teacher at Central Elementary School.

According to Rockbridge County Public Schools’ statement released on Saturday, Sept. 12, the health department will contact any individuals who may have been exposed to the teacher, but say an additional staff member has been advised to quarantine.

However, since the teachers in question have not conducted in-person classes at school, no students are considered to be close contacts, school officials say.

“As defined by the Health Department, a person has potentially been exposed if they have been within 6 feet of a positive case for a total of fifteen minutes. A person is not considered potentially exposed just by having been in the same building as the positive case and will not need to quarantine unless advised to do so by the Health Department.”

PHILLIP THOMPSON, ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT

In addition, the areas occupied by these individuals were set to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before students and staff returned on Monday, Sept. 14, according to Saturday’s statement.

The school district continues to encourage community members to wear face coverings in public, maintain appropriate social distancing, and wash their hands both frequently and thoroughly. Furthermore, Rockbridge County school officials ask everyone to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and to stay home if they feel sick.

You can read the full statement released by Rockbridge County Public Schools on Saturday below:

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