Two more employees with Owensboro Public Schools have tested positive for COVID-19, as announced Saturday in a press release from OPS.
One employee was already under a 14-day self-quarantine after another employee tested positive earlier in the week. The new patient has not been to work this week has not been in contact with any members of the public.
The second new positive test came from an employee who was still on the job on Monday but was not displaying symptoms. While the individual did not physically hand out meals, they were on some of the meal delivery routes.
According to the release, the Green River District Health Department said that there is an extremely low risk to the community. However, OPS felt it was necessary to inform the public of this low-risk exposure.
The full release reads as follows:
This morning, our district was notified of two new positive tests for the COVID-19 virus with our employees and we are sending this letter to you in order to be transparent and to give you all the information you need to know.
It is important to know that the one of the additional positive tests came from an individual who was already under a 14-day quarantine from the positive test we were informed about on Wednesday of last week. That individual has not been to work this past week and has not been in contact with any members of the public.
The second positive test came from an employee who was still on the job on Monday, March 23, but was not displaying symptoms on that day. While this individual did not physically hand out meals, they were on the routes for the Daviess County Public Library, 8th & Maple St., Smothers Park, Bolivar & 7th, Oney’s Apartments, East 7th & JR Miller, Colonel House Motel, Dixiana Court, Goose Egg Park, Cadillac Motel. Again, this individual did not personally hand out meals at these locations on Monday, March 23, but they were on the route. Therefore, the Health Department has said that there is an extremely low risk to the community. However, we felt it was necessary to inform the public of this low-risk exposure.
At the direction of the Green River District Health Department, we will be altering our meal distribution procedures. As we announced last week, we will only be serving meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The meals provided on those days will only be available by pickup at Owensboro High School, Owensboro Middle School, Foust Elementary, Cravens Elementary and Estes Elementary from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
We will be providing two meals per day to ensure that we are still providing the same amount of food while limiting the amount of exposure during this time. We ask anyone coming to pick up a meal to remain in their vehicle or a minimum of 6 feet away until a school staff member comes out to ask how many meals you need and they will bring them to you. All staff will be wearing gloves, maintaining proper social distancing and following all Health Department guidelines.
Once again, let this serve as another reminder to heed the warnings of Governor Andy Beshear and national healthcare officials to stay home and avoid gathering with others. Please continue to practice social distancing, proper hygiene and do not leave your home unless absolutely necessary during this time. The Health Department believes the virus is community-spread at this point and all necessary precautions need to be taken to protect yourself and others.
I understand this can be a scary time, but I assure you, these steps are necessary to prevent the spread of this virus further. Please take this seriously and abide by all guidelines laid out by the Center for Disease Control and Governor Andy Beshear moving forward.
Regards,
Matthew Constant Interim Superintendent, Owensboro Public Schools
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The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
