COVID-19 hits three Manatee County schools after return of students

The School District of Manatee County had a relatively smooth first day on Monday, as many students returned to their classrooms, but COVID-19 made an inevitable mark on several campuses by Tuesday.

District spokesman Mike Barber confirmed cases at Ballard Elementary School and Parrish Community High School, providing notifications that went to families and school employees on Tuesday.

The Bradenton Herald confirmed another case at Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication, a public charter school in Bradenton, after obtaining a message that was sent from the principal to families on Tuesday evening.

In response to a follow-up question, Barber said the district only tracked cases at traditional public schools. Charters were responsible for reporting cases to the Florida Department of Education in Manatee County, he continued.

Barber’s statement on Wednesday included only the schools that had cases after students’ return. The Bradenton Herald discovered another case at Kinnan Elementary School, which occurred at some point over the weekend. Barber said more information on that case would be made available in the district’s weekly update on Friday.

In all cases, it was unclear if the infected people were students or employees, or how many people were exposed on each campus. The district recently stopped providing that information, citing privacy laws.

“The information we provided is in accordance with (HIPAA) and the Florida Department of Health,” Barber said in an email on Wednesday.

Ballard Elementary School

There were “direct exposures” to an infected person at Ballard Elementary, according to the message received by families.

“The case is isolated to a portion of the campus and anyone who had Direct Exposure to the confirmed case is being contacted and sent home to isolate for 14 days from the date of known exposure, in accordance with CDC and Florida Department of Health protocols,” it states.

“In addition, the confirmed case has also been sent home to isolate in accordance with those same protocols,” the message continued.

“Direct exposure” means someone was within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes, according to the district’s guidance, which mirrors recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Our campus will be completely cleaned and prepared for school to resume for students and staff tomorrow morning,” the message continued. “Please note that we continue to take mitigation measures at our school including taking temperatures, wearing masks, asking symptom-related questions of all students and staff daily and limiting access to our campus.”

Parrish Community High School

There was “minimal Direct Exposure to the confirmed case” at Parrish Community High, according to the message sent to families.

The messages from Parrish Community High and Ballard Elementary were nearly identical. They said infected and exposed people were sent home, and that affected areas were sanitized at each campus.

The notification also assured families that Parrish Community High would continue with classes and all the needed safety measures.

“Most importantly, if a student or staff member feels sick, believes they have symptoms or has had a test for COVID-19, please stay home until you are symptom free or you receive a negative test result,” the message concluded.

Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication

In a message to parents and employees on Tuesday evening, Principal Chuck Fradley informed the Rowlett community about a confirmed case of COVID-19.

“In reviewing this case, it has been determined that the confirmed case had limited exposure to distinct portions of our campus,” he wrote. “These areas will be closed for the next 2-5 days for intensive cleaning and disinfecting.”

“The faculty and staff at Rowlett have prepared for this situation and are following our safety protocols,” Fradley continued. “Please continue to monitor your family’s health and keep children home that are exhibiting any COVID type symptoms.”

Kinnan Elementary School

The case at Kinnan Elementary occurred at some point last weekend, before students returned to campus.

There was a “confirmed case of COVID-19” at Kinnan Elementary and a “small number” of direct exposures. The infected and exposed people were sent home, according to a message sent to school employees.

“The portion of the building where the confirmed case works is being fogged and sanitized before students return tomorrow,” the message states.

“In addition, Kinnan Elementary is cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis and we continue to take mitigation measures including taking temperatures, wearing masks and limiting access to our school.”

A copy of the message, recently obtained by the Bradenton Herald, did not include a timestamp. In an email on Wednesday, Barber said the case “occurred during the weekend prior to school resuming.”

“We will provide more information on that case on Friday,” Barber concluded.

This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 4:20 PM.