Iredell School's COVID-19 Case Leads To Quarantine Of 7th Grade

IREDELL COUNTY, NC — All seventh grade students at a Statesville middle school began the new school year Monday with remote learning after a positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed associated with the school, Iredell-Statesville Schools announced Sunday.

"A student/employee at Third Creek Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19 virus," the school district said Sunday. "As a result of the positive COVID-19 result and the Iredell Health Department requirement for close contacts to quarantine for 14 days, all 7th grade students and teachers at Third Creek Middle will begin the year with remote learning."

The announcement was made by the school district three days after the school held an open house and the night before students were to being a "Plan B" schedule of in-person learning of reduced class sizes staggered throughout the week.

"It was determined that no visitors, including parents and students, were in close contact with this individual during the open house that was held on Thursday, August 13, 2020," ISS said in a statement. "However, individuals identified as close contacts have been notified to quarantine in their home for 14 days because of the potential for exposure."

While all 159 seventh grade students at the Statesville school will begin with remote learning, students in sixth and eight grades were set to continue on the modified in-person schedule at the school Monday, Aug. 17.

The seventh grade students are expected to be allowed to return to school Aug. 31, the school district said.

"It is of paramount importance for staff and students to maintain six feet of distance and wear a face mask at all times during the school day," ISS said. "A lack of social distancing and/or wearing of a face mask may contribute to individuals having to quarantine for 14 days, even if they are asymptomatic."

This article originally appeared on the Mooresville Patch