Freeport Area reports high school coronavirus case

A member of the Freeport Area High School community has tested positive for infection with the coronavirus, according to the school district.

Superintendent Ian Magness reported the case in a letter to district families and residents posted Wednesday on the district website.

Magness said that “the person in question was asymptomatic at last contact with the school campus; however, we are issuing this notice out of an abundance of caution.”

He said the district can’t provide further details about the local coronavirus patient because of privacy rights.

Citing officials from the state Health Department, Magness told Freeport Area families that it is unlikely they were exposed to the virus in this case, or were “at least at a very low risk.”

“This notice is to inform, rather than frighten,” Magness said. He noted that the local case is “a sign of how covid-19 is spreading throughout our region. Everyone is asked to take additional precautions to stay healthy and limit the spread of this illness.”

In an apparent reaction to the announcement, Freeport police Chief Eric Belton wrote in a post to the public: “This should be a wake up call that it can happen anywhere.

“Practice your social distancing, and if you don’t have to be out, then don’t (go out). But it you do, please be responsible.”

The state Health Department reported one confirmed coronavirus case in Armstrong County and 12 in Butler County as of noon Wednesday. Butler County reported its first death.