EDMONDS — After 26 COVID-19 cases in the last 10 days, Madrona K-8 closed its school building Tuesday.
The Edmonds School District expects the building to reopen Nov. 1. For the next 10 days, students will learn remotely from 9:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. each weekday.
Of nearly 600 students, 236 were home Monday because of classroom closures. Of those, 135 were quarantined as close contacts of those who had tested positive. Those students should not go to other activities or child care while under quarantine, the district urged.
Those who are not close contacts are encouraged to get tested for COVID and monitor symptoms.
Madrona students didn’t have school Tuesday as the district prepared for the return of remote learning. The district deep cleaned the building Tuesday, as well.
The state Department of Health tells schools to consider four items when thinking of closing a school building due to COVID.
• Whether there has been a rapid increase in cases
• Whether multiple classrooms or activities have cases among students or staff
• Whether there is prolonged transmission in the school
• Whether the school can function with the lower staffing levels
Between Oct. 9 and Oct. 15, the Edmonds School District reported 51 cases among students and staff, according to its public dashboard. Almost half of those cases were at Madrona K-8.
That 51 total is up from 24 the previous week, and 39 and 40 the two prior weeks.
The decision to close was made in consultation with the Snohomish Health District. A health district spokesperson could not give more details on the Madrona outbreak investigations due to “protected health information.”
“We appreciate your understanding as we do everything we can when it comes to the health and safety of our students and staff,” superintendent Gustavo Balderas wrote on the district’s website Monday.
A spokesperson for the district could not be immediately reached Tuesday night.
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.
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