Snohomish, Meridian school districts, several Tacoma schools closing after positive coronavirus tests
EVERETT, Wash. -- The Snohomish School District will be closed on Tuesday, March 10 after a district employee tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the district, the employee worked in the transportation department. That's why school officials decided to close all schools in the district.
"As we have shared in previous communications regarding potential building closures, we stated if there was a confirmed case we would close the facility to allow for cleaning and for the Washington State Department of Health/Snohomish Health District to determine possible close contacts. As a result, we will be closing our transportation facility.
This closure will impact our ability to transport students, and as a result all Snohomish School District schools will be closed for Tuesday, March 10, 2020. All school, athletic and other activities across the district have been canceled on Tuesday, March 10."
Tacoma Public Schools closures
Four schools in Tacoma also have closures this week after individuals tested "presumptive positive" for coronavirus at Sheridan Elementary, Lowell Elementary and Wilson High School.
Administrators said this is in addition to the presumptive positive test that forced the closure of Mary Lyon Elementary.
"The decision to close schools is not taken lightly. We know that family schedules often revolve around students. We also understand that this news can be upsetting," administrators wrote in the letter. "We will be in close communication with the health department and will communicate with you any additional information or guidance they provide."
According to Tacoma Public Schools:
Meridian School District closure
A staff member at a Meridian School District middle school in Whatcom County has been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, prompting officials to close all schools in the district on Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11.
"Since our staff member has been in school all last week and today, they have been in contact with our other staff and students," Dr. James Everett, Meridian Schools Superintendent, said. "Given the size of our district, most of our staff wear many hats and interact with each of our buildings. Our middle school students visit the high school for athletics and math. All our students ride the same buses. Student and staff safety is our primary concern and it is this interconnectedness that has driven the decision to close the district for two days out of precaution."
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