Several western Washington schools to close Monday over coronavirus concerns
RENTON, Wash. -- Here's a list of schools in western Washington that are closed Monday (March 2) over coronavirus concerns:
A Hazen High School student and one of their parents are experiencing flu-like symptoms and were tested Saturday for COVID-19. The high school in Renton will be closed Monday out of an abundance of caution, school district officials said.
Renton Schools Superintendent Damien Pattenaude said the student and parent are self-quarantined at home while waiting for the novel coronavirus test results. The parent works in the health care industry and started feeling sick Sunday, Feb. 23. The student got sick Wednesday, Feb. 26, and didn't attend school Thursday or Friday.
The custodial staff has begun cleaning and disinfecting the school, and the district has reached out to people who may have had contact with the student and parent.
Another western Washington school, Jackson High School in Snohomish County, will also be closed Monday over coronavirus concerns. A student at Jackson High School in Mill Creek is one of eight people statewide who has tested positive for COVID-19 as of Sunday (March 1).
The student was out of school most of the week and was on campus briefly on the morning of February 28 before returning home.
The student's family released the following statement:
Our child became ill with flu-like symptoms on Monday morning. We took the necessary steps to have him seen by medical professionals and to be tested for the flu. We didn’t learn of the testing of COVID-19 until Friday morning, after our now symptom-free child left for school. He promptly returned home before school started.
We are taking this situation very seriously. Please know that we have been following all guidance and instructions from both the healthcare providers that treated our son, as well the Snohomish Health District. We understand the concerns and anxiety raised, but we ask that the community and media please respect our family’s privacy.
According to a letter from the Kent School District, Kentwood High School and Covington Elementary School will be closed Monday, March 2.
District officials said they learned late Sunday that a parent of two Kentwood students "is experiencing flu-like symptoms and is waiting to be tested for COVID-19, Coronavirus."
The family is self-quarantined in their home while they await the test and results.
In the Mukilteo School District, Mariner High School and Discover Elementary School are closed Monday, March 2.
Here's what the district had to say:
Last night we learned a parent of a Mariner High School student was diagnosed with the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, yesterday. The Mariner student is not showing any symptoms, but will be quarantined at home and monitored for 14 days as recommended by the Snohomish Health District. The student also visited Discovery Elementary School last week. As a precaution for the health of our staff, students and their families, we are closing both Mariner High School and Discovery Elementary School today, March 2, to allow the custodial team to do some deep cleaning and disinfecting. All school, athletic and other afterschool activities at Mariner and Discovery are cancelled for Monday. The bus from Mariner to ACES High School will still be available.
Frank Love Elementary in Bothell is also closed, as is Cedar Park Christian School, also in Bothell.
And Kingston High School in the North Kitsap School District is also closing "out of an abundance of caution" Monday after it was learned that a student there is being tested for the virus.
In the Puyallup School District, Ferrucci Junior High and Wildwood Elementary are closed "due to the flu-like symptoms of a relative of one of our families."