Petersburg Public Schools announced on Thursday that a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee that tested positive was last on school property on October 16th when they were at Cool Springs Elementary. “We are working with the Petersburg Health Department and Crater Health District to inform the necessary individuals and to continue our mitigation efforts,” said PPS on social media Thursday morning.
Even with all of the students currently participating in a virtual academy, this is the fourth employee of the schools to test positive this year with one visitor to the school also testing positive.
The City of Petersburg has seen 899 positive cases of COVID-19 so far – 82 of those people have been hospitalized and 29 people have died according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The school board is expected to debate sending students back into schools for some form of in-person learning at their next meeting in early November. The Progress-Index reported a 5% drop in attendance compared to last year for students this year as they attend virtually.
“Based on survey results, most families were doing well in the Petersburg Virtual Academy,” said PCPS on Thursday. “At the Board meeting on November 4th, the Board will receive and review information regarding when the reopening of schools could occur.”
We will update you when we have more details. We plan to talk to members of the school board in the coming weeks.
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