More covid-19 cases found at Norwin

The number of covid-19 cases in Norwin schools continues to increase, with another two cases reported on Thursday, the school district said.

A high school student and a Hahntown Elementary School student have recently tested positive for covid-19, Norwin said in a statement.

School nurses have completed contact tracing under the direction of the state Department of Health. No contact tracing is needed at Hahntown Elementary School, the district said.

Both buildings were disinfected following the protocol that has been established and more sanitizing is not necessary, the district said.

On Tuesday, the school district announced a Norwin Online Academy student and a high school employee notified school officials they had tested positive for the coronavirus.

The online academy students take courses through remote instruction, and the high school was closed on Monday because of an outbreak of covid-19 cases last week. Additional sanitizing was not necessary, the district said, and all buildings opened for staff members Wednesday.

In the hybrid model of instruction in place now, all students receive teaching in a virtual manner on Wednesdays.

On Nov. 9, a middle school staff member and a high school student tested positive for the coronavirus, Norwin said.

Since school opened Aug. 31, about 35 students and staff have tested positive.

As a result of the covid-19 increases, Norwin Superintendent Jeff Taylor said on Nov. 9 he recommends that Norwin continue with a hybrid instruction model that has students attending school just two days a week, with virtual instruction on the remaining three days. Taylor had previously recommended returning to school full time as of Nov. 18, if there was not an increase in the spread of covid-19.

The school board is expected to consider Taylor’s recommendation at its meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19.