Three county school districts report COVID-19 cases

By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER

Valley Press

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached three Sanders County schools.

Plains, Thompson Falls and Noxon have each reported positive coronavirus tests for either teachers or students in the last two weeks. They total five of the 34 active cases in the county through Monday, Oct. 19.

Montana has a total of 9,611 active cases with 13,538 recovered and 241 deaths. Sanders has had a total of 88 cases with 40 active and six new.

According to information on its school website, on Thursday, Oct. 8, the Plains Elementary School was notified that a student had tested positive for COVID-19. The positive test was confirmed two days later. According to the Sanders County Health Department, the district’s staff and students were not in close contact with the student during the period of possible exposure. However, the student last learned in person-to-person contact with fellow students at Plains School on Oct. 5, three days prior to the student’s diagnosis.

Then, on Oct. 10, Plains High School was notified that a student had tested positive for COVID-19. It was confirmed the same day. According to the Sanders County Health Department, some students were in close contact with the student during the period of possible exposure. However, the student last learned in person-to-person contact with fellow students at Plains School on Oct. 6, four days prior to the student’s diagnosis.

It is still recommended that any person who feels sick or ill should seek out their medical provider for specific instructions. The Plains School District is in contact with the Health Department and reviewing the Centers for Disease Control guidance to complete cleaning the school and other related facilities. School officials will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further information if and when it becomes available.

The following statement was posted on the school site:

“We feel that with the cleaning measures already completed, the three-day weekend, and the small class sizes that have used social distancing when possible we can safely conduct school on Monday as normal. If this was to change, we will notify you immediately.”

According to further information on the site, the school board voted Oct. 1 to continue with the current A/B school schedule through the week of Oct. 22. The school will transition to a full four-day attendance schedule beginning on the week of Oct. 26. Further information will be provided nearer to then.

In the event of a confirmed positive case within the school (staff or student) the school will initiate a minimum, two-day school shutdown in the 7-12, and a two-day multi-grade level (K-2, 3-4, or 5-6) shutdown in the elementary for cleaning and collaboration with the county health department. These plans are subject to change as guidance from the local, state, and federal authorities changes.

For more information, call the school at 826-8600.

At Thompson Falls, the district was notified that an employee had tested positive for COVID-19 and it was confirmed Oct. 2. According to the Sanders County Health Department, the district's staff and students may have been in contact with the employee during the period of possible exposure. However, the employee last worked and had person-to-person contact with fellow students/staff at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, two days prior to the employee's diagnosis.

Then, on Oct. 6, the school was notified a high school student had tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Sanders County Health Department, the student’s last date attending school was Friday, Oct. 2 and the last date at a school activity was Saturday, Oct. 3.

The School District is in contact with the Health Department and reviewing the Centers for Disease Control guidance to complete cleaning the school and other related facilities. The other steps taken by the district include requiring masks until the number of active cases in the county is below four.

More information on the school site indicated the schools would be deep cleaning campus facilities Oct. 15-16, while they are closed for MEA Days.

The following statement was posted on the site:

“We will continue to offer in person instruction as long as we can provide personnel to cover classes. We will continue to evaluate this in conjunction with the county health department. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and provide the best educational opportunities we can. We are thankful for our staff, who work hard everyday to meet these goals and for the support of our parents and community members who entrust us with our students.” For those with questions, call the school at 827-3323 or at 406-827-7062.

Noxon had the most recent case with a student testing positive Oct. 17. A parent notified the district.

According to school superintendent Jonathan Martin, the district has consulted with health professionals and at this time it feels that this positive test does not warrant a school closure. The student was last in school with person-to-person contact with fellow students/staff at Noxon School on Oct. 9.

“The district is using guidance from the Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control guidance to complete cleaning the school,” Martin wrote in the statement. “The other steps taken by the school district include daily sanitizing of the facility and weekly deep cleaning and sanitization of the facility. School officials will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further information if and when it becomes available.”

For more information, contact Martin at 847-2442.