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Lakewood Middle School reports COVID-19 case

School classroom desk with blackboard
Posted at 11:13 AM, Oct 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-19 11:20:45-04

BARRY COUNTY, Mich. — Lakewood Middle School is reporting a case of COVID-19.

Lakewood Public Schools learned on Saturday night about "an individual" at the school testing positive for the virus, according to a letter yesterday to families from Superintendent Steven Skalka.

The individual began feeling symptoms on Oct. 14, and they "did the responsible thing by getting tested," Skalka says.

They did not return to school on Oct. 15 or Oct. 16.

The district will look back 48 hours from the start of symptoms to begin contact tracing.

"Some students may have been in 'close contact' with this individual during one of their class periods earlier in the week prior to the individual experiencing symptoms," Skalka says.

The district is responsible for informing staff and students who are considered close contacts.

A close contact does not have to be quarantined unless they develop symptoms or test positive, according to Skalka.

Skalka says the district has "reason to believe" the individual didn't contract the virus on school grounds, and he notes that they don't ride district-provided transportation.

"All measures have been taken to protect the well-being of your child(ren)," Skalka says.