“While we all know that health and safety must be our top priority, we recognize that this period of virtual learning and suspended activities is disappointing for many of our students, staff and families,” Superintendent John Kronour said. “By following the advice of the health department, we hope that we will all be learning together at school again on Monday, Oct. 26.”
According to Northeastern’s COVID-19 dashboard, as of Friday, the district reported 23 total positive cases of the virus and 203 total current quarantined cases.
Northridge had five confirmed cases, three probable cases and 42 current quarantined cases. Kenton Ridge had 16 confirmed cases, six probable and 146 current quarantined cases. It’s unclear which of those cases are students and which are staff members.
Last week, Northeastern made the decision to move Kenton Ridge High School students to virtual learning following a COVID-19 outbreak. Virtual learning there is scheduled through Friday, Oct. 16, with students returning to the classrooms on Monday, Oct. 19.
However, CCCHD Health Commissioner Charles Patterson said on Friday that date may change based on their recommendations and “depending on how many cases we see.”
Patterson said the health district had been keeping an eye on Northridge since the outbreak at Kenton Ridge began because the two schools “share a common area within that building.” He also noted that the virus was being spread through siblings and family members.
In a letter sent to Northridge parents on Friday, Kronour said the health district is still working to complete contact tracing to identify students or staff who may need to quarantine as a result of being a close contact of a positive case.
“Close contacts will receive a phone call from the Clark County Combined Health District within 24 hours; in some cases, CCCHD may also send a text message to families of students identified as a contact," Kronour wrote to families. “The health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We will continue to closely follow our reopening plan and all health guidelines and communicate quickly with our families about any concerns.”
According to the CDC, a close contact is defined as someone who was within six feet of an individual with a confirmed case of COVID for 15 minutes or more.
Clark County had 2,152 cases, 49 deaths and four probable deaths of the coronavirus as of Monday afternoon, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Ohio reported 170,179 total cases and 5,005 total deaths of the coronavirus of Monday.
Facts & Figures:
8: Confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 identified at Northridge Middle/Elementary School
22: Confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 identified at Kenton Ridge High School
203: Current quarantined cases in the Northeastern Local School District
Source: Northeastern Local School District COVID-19 dashboard
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