St. Louise de Marillac closure extended due to more covid-19 cases

The closure of St. Louise De Marillac Catholic School in Upper Saint Clair has been extended due to more covid-19 cases, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh officials announced Tuesday.

Officials closed the pre-K through eighth-grade school earlier this month, as well as suspended its football program, after three people tested positive for the virus.

Students were to learn online until Nov. 2.

Officials have now extended it to Nov. 10 after more cases were confirmed.

At least six people at the school tested positive as of Tuesday.

Principal Ken Klase updated parents about what is happening at the school.

“This is not the email I want to be sending,” Klase wrote. “I thank you for your support as we continue to work through the challenges associated with keeping everyone safe while providing the quality education you expect in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.”

On Oct. 22, students in an eighth-grade homeroom and nearly 50 people involved with the football program began a 14-day quarantine after two people associated with the school tested positive for the virus.

The diocese would not confirm if the positive cases involved students or staff due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) rules.

Administrators for each Catholic school within the diocese make decisions about covid response and other matters based on the individual circumstances of their school communities, the diocese said in a news release.

There are seven high schools and 32 elementary schools in the diocese.