News

School system says infected person did not distribute meals or school materials

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 1, 2020

The Henderson County school system provided more details about the employee who tested positive for COVID-19, saying the person is an employee at North Henderson High who was not involved in the distribution of any meals or educational materials before becoming symptomatic.

As soon as the employee felt unwell, the person followed public health recommendations to go home and self-isolate while awaiting their COVID-19 test results.

North Henderson High staff received additional, specific Health Department communication through a school administrator on Tuesday, notifying them of their possible exposure to the case. Additionally, as part of the investigative process, local public health officials worked directly with school administrators to identify any other potential close contacts – which would include visitors to the school in question during a specific period of time determined by health officials. And health officials shared with HCPS today that they have completed their contact tracing for those who would be considered "close contacts."

The HCDPH reminds us that a “close contact” as defined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is being within approximately 6 feet of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time, or having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on).

Several of the concerns raised by individuals are “general proximity” concerns, which health officials tell us present no more risk these days than one might experience with a visit to the grocery store. Out of an abundance of caution, the school system has informed the public of the confirmed case and its association with a school environment, but that is simply a best practice to inform the community and to increase everyone’s awarenes