In a press release Monday, Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) confirmed it had a positive coronavirus case, while Centreville Public Schools also confirmed a positive case.

“We were notified today, September 28, 2020 by the St. Joseph County Health Agency that one of our students in Three Rivers Middle School tested positive for COVID-19,” the release read. “At this time, it has been determined that this case originated from outside Three Rivers Community Schools.” The full name of the health agency is the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ).

Under current U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, TRCS must inform all students, teachers, and staff “who are considered ‘close contacts’ of the affected person. TRCS said it will contact families in the event that students who are family members are required to quarantine because of an exposure. 

“If your student does not qualify as a close contact, you will not hear from us,” TRCS said. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), TRCS “will protect the confidentiality of this student unless there is a reason to inform you of the student’s identity.”

TRCS reopened earlier this month under its “Return to Learn” plan, which established all-online virtual learning options for students at all levels. Students who did were not enrolled in the all-virtual option attend school in person for at least part of the week. Elementary students are face-to-face in the classroom full time, whereas middle and high school students are split into two cohorts which alternate two days of in-classroom instruction and three days of virtual time with their teachers. While students are at TRCS facilities, social distancing, cleaning, and symptoms monitoring measures are in place.

“It is our role to tall all families of (TRCS) that we are moving forward under the guidance of (BHSJ) and that all measures have been taken to protect the wellbeing of your child(ren),” TRCS said. These safety measures include daily health checks, required facial coverings and social distancing, frequent handwashing, sanitizing common touch areas, personal workspace disinfecting, daily facility cleaning/disinfecting, and contact tracing with (BHSJ).” 

Students are monitored for temperature upon arrival at TRCS school buildings. However, some symptoms monitoring procedures are reliant upon families to conduct, especially before busing.

TRCS officials urge families to “monitor for the onset of symptoms related to COVID-19, including cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.” Covid-19 temperatures can often rise in excess of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Families who notice changes in their children’s health should seek the assistance of their medical care provider.

In letters sent to families, Centreville Public Schools (CPS) also confirmed a positive case with a Centreville Junior/Senior High School student on Friday. CPS’s response and communications mirrored those of TRCS.

Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.