Greater Latrobe reports 3 students with coronavirus; full-time return to classrooms still on

Three students at Greater Latrobe School District tested positive for coronavirus and another is presumed positive, according to Superintendent Georgia Teppert.

Teppert reported on the cases in a Wednesday letter to parents posted on the district website.

Teppert told the Tribune-Review she could not provide any details about the students. She said the district is required to protect the privacy of those affected by the virus, in accordance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

She said those identified as close contacts with the affected students were notified and quarantined.

Unless a family was contacted by a Greater Latrobe school nurse, the district’s pandemic coordinator or the Westmoreland County Department of Health, Teppert wrote, “we can reasonably assure you that your child has not been identified as a ‘close contact’ of a positive case.”

Citing guidance from state health officials, she noted anyone who has spent more than 15 consecutive minutes within 6 feet of a person who is positive for coronavirus is considered a close contact.

Teppert said the student cases won’t affect the district’s plan to have secondary students return to the classroom five days per week beginning Monday. Those students started the school year in a hybrid program featuring two days per week of in-class instruction and three days of virtual learning at home.

Elementary students started the year with full-time in-class lessons, but any district student at any grade level is able to opt for full-time virtual learning.

To assist with social distancing, Teppert said elementary students are being encouraged to take morning and afternoon breaks outside. Secondary students will continue to use outdoor spaces during the day, especially for lunch and study halls, she said.

Referencing covid-19 guidance from county health officials, Teppert said individuals who are socially distanced within a classroom space are not considered to be close contacts until four consecutive hours have elapsed.

Teppert said there have been no new cases reported among district staff. In late August, she revealed that two Greater Latrobe employees had tested positive for the disease, but she said no students were affected at that time, and the cases didn’t interfere with the start of the school year.

Teppert said the district will continue to follow other health guidelines, including wearing of face coverings and frequent hand-washing.

“If your child is experiencing any symptoms of illness, please keep them at home and consult with your medical provider,” she said.

She encouraged families to report any positive cases within the family or among close contacts and asked them to share information with school nurses. She said the nurses are working closely with local medical providers during the pandemic.