After being notified of a second confirmed case of Covid-19 in a student at the John M. Marshall Elementary School, the East Hampton School District has decided to close the elementary school, middle school, and high school on Wednesday "out of an abundance of caution," the district said in an email and voice memo sent to parents on Tuesday afternoon.
The Suffolk County Health Department "is expected to complete their full investigation by Tuesday afternoon," the district's email said. The Health Department has advised the district that it does not need to quarantine students or staff because the "identified student did not come in close contact with any staff or students" and because the district has precautionary measures in place, including social distancing, the wearing of face coverings, and plexiglass barriers. The district did say, however, that one person who was in contact with the student outside of school is being quarantined.
"Contact tracing has been completed by school personnel for up to 48 hours before the student exhibited any symptoms," the district email said. Students will receive remote instruction on Wednesday.
A school official confirmed Tuesday afternoon that this was a second, distinct case in a student.
The district had been informed by the Health Department last Thursday that there was a suspected Covid case in a student at John Marshall, and on Saturday announced that the suspected case had been confirmed.
In that case, the Health Department had informed the school that no students or staff needed to be quarantined.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.