School worker who handed out laptops to Texas students tests positive for coronavirus

Students and parents in Texas have been told to self-quarantine after a school employee who had distributed laptops for distance learning tested positive for coronavirus, the Houston Independent School District says.

The person is a staff member at Madison High School in Houston and is recovering at home, KPRC reported.

The district told students and parents who went to the school to pick up their laptops between March 23 and April 6 to self-quarantine for 14 days from the last time they were in the school, according to the outlet.

Staff members who worked closely with the person were also notified and told to self-quarantine, according to a statement from the district, KHOU reported.

The district says it’s working with the local health department to determine the students, parents and staff member who need to be tested for COVID-19, according to the outlet.

The district urged people to follow health directives and stay home if they’re not feeling well, KTRK reported, adding that those without symptoms should stay at least 6 feet from others and wear masks and gloves in public.

“We remain vigilant and committed to taking every precaution we can to protect the health and safety of our HISD students, parents and staff during this global health emergency, while also meeting the educational and nutritional needs of families,” the statement said, according to KTRK.

Harris County has 2,341 reported cases of coronavirus and 31 deaths as of Thursday morning, according to the county’s website.

Similar instances have been happening in school districts across the country.

In Lexington, North Carolina, a school employee who was helping to deliver meals to students tested positive for COVID-19, McClatchy News reported.

The food delivery program shut down for a day, and employees and volunteers went into self-quarantine, according to the report.

In Horry County, South Carolina, an elementary school nutrition services employee tested positive for the virus, sparking a self-quarantine directive for anyone who came in contact with the person, McClatchy reported.

The school meal site was closed to be cleaned and disinfected, according to the report.