Providence Public School Department Provides Coronavirus Case Info on Need to Know Basis
Monday, September 21, 2020
Last Friday afternoon, the Providence Public School Department (PPSD) issued a release that two students at Providence Career and Technical Academy had tested positive for COVID-19.
It was the first release sent by PPSD related to coronavirus since school officially began on September 14 — but not the first instance of cases in schools.
“We send statements when asked to respond to questions, that did not impact the larger community,” said PPSD spokesperson Laura Hart, of positive cases reported in other schools. “We didn’t want to cause panic.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHart said school communities -- teachers, students, and families -- were informed if there were cases.
Additional Cases
In subsequent emails sent by Hart, PPSD had released the following information last week -- on limited scale:
* The RI Dept. of Health informed [PPSD] that a student at Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex had tested positive for COVID-19. The student attended school in person only on Monday, Sept. 14.
* The RI Dept. of Health informed Providence Public Schools that an employee of Carnevale Elementary School had tested positive for COVID-19. This employee had minimal contact with students [last] Monday. Both the principal and the assistant principal at Carnevale are considered close contacts of the staff member who tested positive and, as a result, will be quarantined for two weeks.
* On Wednesday night, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) notified Providence Public Schools that an employee of Webster Avenue Elementary had tested positive for COVID-19. That employee had NOT been in the building when classes were in session and had no recent contact with students. Based on the contact tracing conducted by the Department of Health, no additional staff members require a quarantine.
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