Wake County Schools

Coronavirus case reported at Raleigh elementary school

Two days after Wake County elementary students started heading back to class for in-person instruction amid the pandemic, a coronavirus case was reported Wednesday at a north Raleigh elementary school.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Two days after Wake County elementary students started heading back to class for in-person instruction amid the pandemic, a coronavirus case was reported Wednesday at a north Raleigh elementary school.

Forest Pines Elementary School Principal Michelle Bell sent a notice to families that "an individual associated with our school" tested positive for the virus. The notice didn't say whether a student or a staff member was infected, only that the person was last at the school on Tuesday.

"We are working closely with the Wake County Public Health Division and the individual to identify and notify anyone who may have been in close contact with the individual to provide them further instructions," Bell said. "There is nothing for you to do unless you are contacted by your local health department. If you are contacted by your local health department, please respond immediately and follow their instructions."

Wake County schools had been in online-only classes from March until this week, when students from pre-kindergarten through the third grade started returning to in-person instruction. Other elementary and middle school students will return to classes in the coming weeks, while high school students will continue with remote learning for the rest of the semester.

Under Wake County Public School System guidelines, the infected person cannot return to Forest Pines Elementary until he or she has been fever-free for 24 hours, 10 days have passed since the first symptoms and any cough or breathing difficulties have improved.

Any areas of the school where the infected person was will be thoroughly cleaned before other students and staff can return, Bell said.

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