Updated: Tuesday, 8:09 a.m.
Another individual at IXL Elementary has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Ark City USD 470 Monday.
No other details were shared.
It’s the second person at IXL Elementary to test positive since the school district announced a pair of positive infections within the district Sunday night. The other was at Adams Elementary.
“Any staff members and students who were believed to be close contacts have already been notified and school will continue as normal.” the district said in a statement Monday via its website. “As a reminder, please monitor your child(ren)’s health and keep them home when they don’t feel well. If a person in your home is awaiting COVID-19 test results, all members of the home should isolate until results come back negative.
“Also, anyone can acquire COVID-19. It doesn’t discriminate and even those who have taken all appropriate precautions can still be affected. Let’s continue to treat each other with kindness and respect!”
Late last week, USD 465 told parents a Winfield Middle School staff member tested positive for COVID-19 and will remain in quarantine until cleared by the health department. That staff member was last at school on Oct. 23.
FROM MONDAY:
Two people within USD 470 Ark City have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the school district Sunday night.
The district said an individual at IXL Elementary and an individual at Adams Elementary tested positive. Neither individual will return to school until they are well and released to do so by the Cowley County Health Department.
Any IXL staff members and students who are believed to be close contacts have already been notified and school will continue as planned.
Adams staff members and students who are believed to be close contacts have been notified. Due to underlying health concerns, some of those contacts have been asked to isolate for a week but everyone else can attend school as planned.
“We are closely monitoring these situations and will update you as necessary,” the district said in the news release. “If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.”
As a reminder, the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those associated with seasonal influenza and may include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Parents of students exhibiting flu-like symptoms are encouraged to keep their child home from school and contact their child’s school nurse or the City-Cowley County Health Department We are closely monitoring this situation and will notify families if any additional steps need to be taken.
According to Friday’s KDHE report, Cowley County has so far totaled 583 cases of COVID-19 since a national emergency proclamation was issued by the White House on March 13.
Deaths in the county during that span remain at 10, according to the City-Cowley County Health Department Friday. The most recent death was reported on Oct. 20.
