Deer Lakes School District reports 12 covid-19 cases, 123 people in quarantine

Deer Lakes School District has reported a dozen covid-19 cases and 123 people in quarantine since its first day of school, Aug. 25.

The district is monitoring cases on its website with a tracker showing where each case is throughout the buildings.

The tracker shows 10 cases reported in August and two cases the first day of September.

There are 11 cases among students and one involving a staff member.

District spokesman Shawn Annarelli said the district will update the tracker daily.

Here’s the breakdown of cases:

• Curtisville Primary Center: 2 cases, 5 quarantined;

• East Union Intermediate Center: 1 case, 9 quarantined;

• Middle school: 3 cases, 47 quarantined;

• High school: 5 cases, 62 quarantined;

• Staff members, 1 case, 0 quarantined.

Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden sent out a Q&A letter to families Aug. 20 informing them of covid protocols at the schools. A quarantine guidance flow chart was provided to help students and staff know what to do if they are in close contact with someone who has covid.

Following the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s covid guidelines, the district said a person must quarantine for 10 days if they test positive. After 10 days, the quarantine may end if symptoms no longer are present.

Students work virtually while under quarantine.

Students were given the option to choose in-person or remote learning for the school year. If attending in-person, students were encouraged to maintain as much distance as possible.

Annarelli said 40 out of 1,800 students chose remote learning.

Masks were recommended but not required. However, the district’s mask policy will be updated; Gov. Tom Wolf issued a mask mandate Tuesday for students, teachers and staff in K-12 schools. The mandate will take effect Tuesday, Sept. 7.

“We will follow all local, state and federal mandates and focus every day on providing students with the best education possible,” Logue-Belden said.