Penn-Trafford High School to reopen despite increase in coronavirus cases
Penn-Trafford High School is set to reopen as planned on Wednesday despite an increase in coronavirus cases at the school from two to five.
District Superintendent Matthew Harris reported Tuesday that three students at the high school had tested positive for the coronavirus, in addition to two other positive cases that were announced on Friday.
Though the five cases occurred within 14 days, Harris told parents and staff in a letter posted online that the number of cases fall well short of 5% of the total number of staff and students at the building — allowing district administrators, under state Department of Education guidelines, to reopen the school instead of undergoing an additional 14-day closure.
In compliance with health guidelines, Penn-Trafford administrators on Friday closed the high school for five days after reporting two positive coronavirus cases within 14 days.
Harris said high school parents and staff will be notified when contract tracing is complete. Only close contacts — those who spent more than 15 consecutive minutes within 6 feet of a person who is positive for the coronavirus — will be required to quarantine, he said.
“It is important to consider if cases are community-transmitted or school-transmitted and if the positive (coronavirus) students were in the building while they were contagious,” Harris wrote.
Three other Penn-Trafford schools were closed after several coronavirus cases were reported. Harrison Park, which has two positive cases, closed Friday and is set to reopen Wednesday. Sunrise Elementary, which has five cases, will remain closed until Oct. 22 and Level Green, which has eight positive cases, will remain closed until Thursday.
Parents who are uncomfortable sending their children to school may request remote at-home instruction by contacting the building principal.
Harris asked students and staff to use a district symptom screening tool daily. Those who display symptoms of illness or who may have been in close contact with a positive case should stay home and contact the school nurse, he said.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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