MONROE, N.C. — Two staff members at Poplin Elementary have tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result, several staff members may have been exposed to the virus, Union County Public Schools reports.
In consultation with Union County Public Health, the district has made the decision to close Poplin Elementary for students and staff Aug. 20 - Sept. 7. During this time, all students and staff will work remotely until the school reopens on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Union County Public Schools opened under Plan B on Monday. Students come for in person learning 1 day a week. The cases come after only 3 days of in person instruction.
"Because the health and safety of our students and staff is extremely important, Union County Public Schools staff is working with the individuals and Union County Public Health to determine who has been in close contact with the persons who tested positive. According to NC General Statute 115C-21A, UCPS is unable to publicly identify the persons involved.
In addition, UCPS is following guidance from the Union County Health Department to address the cases. If a student had direct contact with the persons involved, parents will receive a letter from the Union County Public Health Department. In addition, a school nurse or a Union County Public Health staff member will follow up with the family.
UCPS is following cleaning protocols and will properly disinfect and sanitize the impacted areas of the building according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services."
This is exactly what teachers and some parents were worried about. Teachers held a “drive to stay alive” protest the day before school started.
“We're concerned for ourselves but more than that our duty is always to keep our children safe,” Brittany Gendron, a Union County teacher, said there.
This school closure comes as a new study from the Journal of Pediatrics shines a light on how much a role kids could play in the spread of the virus. The report suggests that kids are “silent spreaders” of coronavirus. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found kids carry high levels of the virus and those who seem healthy may actually be more contagious than sick adults.