Serra Catholic High School temporarily closes after 2 students test positive for covid-19

Serra Catholic High School has moved all students to online learning after two students tested positive for covid-19, the school confirmed Thursday.

The school building will remain closed through Monday, and all sports programs will be suspended through the weekend.

Administrators at the McKeesport school had sent an email to parents Wednesday night, announcing it was closing the building Thursday and Friday for undisclosed reasons.

A news release Thursday confirmed there were two cases of covid-19, both asymptomatic. Students deemed to have been in close contact with either of the individuals will be notified and required to quarantine, school officials said.

“This is a challenging time for all involved,” Tim Chirdon, Serra Catholic’s principal, said in a statement. “While Serra Catholic has made extraordinary efforts to fully screen each person entering the building, maintain social distancing standards, carefully monitor mask-wearing and conduct regular cleaning and disinfecting practices, this virus poses extreme difficulties.”

Chirdon added that the school has already prepared a virtual learning environment where its curriculum can be implemented.

The school, which is operated in conjunction with the Diocese of Pittsburgh, reopened with in-person classes Sept. 1.

Serra Catholic is the latest school in the region to close or cancel activities as a result of covid-19 among students. Last week, Peters Township High School announced it would temporarily close after discovering three possible cases, and several high school football programs suspended practices after potential exposures.

Michelle Peduto, director of Catholic Schools, expressed confidence in the high school’s response to the positive cases.

“I am very proud of our school administrators as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic,” she said in a statement. “With the support of our strong Catholic school communities, we will continue to do our very best to keep our students healthy, safe and learning.”