Plum High School remains open after 2 students test positive for covid-19
Plum High School remains open in a hybrid learning model despite two students testing positive for covid-19.
District officials said they were notified Wednesday of two students from the same family at the high school having positive cases.
Principal Joe Fishell said via letter that the district’s conducted contact tracing to determine which people may have been in close contact with the students.
Nine students and seven staff members were determined to have been in close contact with the students, and their families were notified.
Fishell said impacted rooms were cleaned and disinfected.
The students and staff in close contact must quarantine for 14 days as per Allegheny County Health Department guidance.
The high school will remain open despite the positive cases.
Pivik Elementary was closed for about two weeks with all students moved to online learning after a staffer tested positive for covid-19 late last month.
The letter from Pivik Principal Kristen Gestrich at the time stated the staffer was in close contact with nine other staffers, and all 10 had to quarantine for 14 days as per Allegheny County Health Department guidelines.
Pivik reopened to classes on Monday.
“At this point, it is not necessary to take additional action (at the high school),” Fishell said. “We will continue to monitor our students and staff for data that would warrant further measures.”
Fishell encouraged families to contact their health care provider and notify their school nurse should their children experience any symptoms of covid-19, as well as review the health department’s frequently asked questions document about covid regarding exposure.
“We will keep our families informed with any new situation that arises to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our school community,” Fishell said. “The health and safety of our students and staff remain our top priority.”
All district schools offer a hybrid education model with students divided into two groups. Each group attends in-person classes two days a week and online learning three days a week.
Families also have a full-time online option for their children.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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