Hempfield Area temporarily closes 2 elementary schools because of covid-19 cases
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Two Hempfield elementary schools will close for two days this week because of positive covid-19 cases, district leaders announced Monday.
West Point and West Hempfield elementary schools are closed Tuesday and Wednesday after two students at each school contracted the virus, according to a letter from Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. Students will attend classes virtually those two days.
In the district, there are currently nine active covid-19 cases, eight students and one staffer, according to an online tracker. In addition to the cases at West Point and West Hempfield elementary schools, there are three cases at Hempfield Area High School and one case each at Wendover Middle School and West Hempfield Middle School.
Since Jan. 1, the district has had 112 positive cases, 81 students and 31 staffers, according to the tracker.
Since the start of the school year, several Hempfield schools have had to temporarily close to help curb the spread of the virus. The last time a district school closed was on March 8 after several cases were reported at at Fort Allen Elementary School.
Students at West Point and West Hempfield elementary schools can pick up free breakfast and lunch at each school between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Technology support is available during those times at the high school.
Wolicki reminded parents and guardians that positive cases should be reported to school nurses, principals and to Lisa Maloney, supervisor of pupil services.
“While it is inconvenient to move all students to remote-only instruction, it provides an opportunity to mitigate spread to others,” Wolicki wrote in the letter.