Another student tests positive for covid-19 at Leechburg Area
Another student in the Leechburg Area School district in grades 7-12 has tested positive for covid-19, Leechburg Superintendent Tiffany Nix said Friday in an email to district parents.
The student was last on campus Nov. 19.
The district did not identify the infected student.
Current total cases in the district over the last two weeks include four positive cases: two students and two staff members.
All positive cases have originated from the middle/high school and David Leech Elementary School remains free of positive covid-19 cases.
Earlier in the week on Wednesday, Nix reported a staff member had tested positive for covid-19.
Any student deemed to have had close contact with infected individuals would have received a call from Ms. Nix or high school principal Mr. Doug Rodgers this week.
Virtual learning will continue through Dec. 4 and revert back to full-time in-person instruction on Dec. 7.
All district sports are currently suspended until Dec. 7 and Nix said she’s monitoring the covid-19 data in both Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties, both of which are currently labeled “substantial” for risk of covid-19 infection by the state Department of Health.
A county with a “substantial” risk level has an average incidence rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000 for a span of seven days.
“If cases continue to rise, I will present that to the school board to weigh our options. For now, we will return (to school) full-time Dec. 7.,” Nix said.
Nix said district covid-19 safety protocol requires students to pass a health screen and temperature check each day.
In response to the recent uptick in cases, the district has implemented daily sanitizing of common areas, classrooms, dining halls — including a nightly sanitizing spray.
“We are following the safety requirements, and beyond, as put forth by the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health,” Nix wrote.
She reminded district parents to contact her if any student or someone close to their student tests positive for covid-19.
“It’s very important that we stay in contact regarding cases so that we can make the right educational decisions for everyone’s health and safety,” Nix said.
She urged parents with questions to contact her via email at tnix@leechburg.k12.pa.us.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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