A+ Charter Schools

The student at A+ Charter Schools who tested positive for coronavirus earlier in the week was initially provided the wrong test results, the school announced Thursday afternoon.

Test results for the student, in fact, were negative.

Any individuals initially identified as close contacts of the student have been notified the student has not contracted the virus.

“We take the health and safety of all students, staff, and families very seriously and were able to act quickly in our initial identification of close contacts and communicate to individuals and families,” the school said in a statement.

On Tuesday, multiple students and staff identified as close contacts had been directed to self-quarantine.

The school was working closely with the Pinal County Health Department.

Nearly 250 students and staff at Maricopa High School are in quarantine after another student tested positive on Monday.

The Maricopa Unified School District closed Saddleback Elementary School earlier this week after six positive tests among students and staff since last Thursday, Oct. 22.

The school was closed for 16 days and will reopen for in-person learning on Nov. 12. The decision to close the school was made in conjunction with county health officials, the district said.

A positive test at Butterfield Elementary also was reported Monday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention give the following guidance for when a student tests positive for COVID-19 at school:

  • COVID-19 point of contact (POC) initiates list of close contacts of the ill student and communicates the possible exposure to teacher(s), staff, and parent(s), guardian(s) or caregiver(s) of student(s) in the school. (A close contact is defined as someone who was within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more within two days prior of illness onset, regardless of whether contact was wearing a mask.)
  • Exposed area(s) (e.g., classroom) closed off for up to 24 hours. Cleaning and disinfection of area performed by appropriate staff.
  • Administrators work with local health officials to assess transmission levels and support contact tracing efforts.
  • Close contacts are notified, advised to stay home (quarantine for 14 days), and to consult with their healthcare provider for evaluation and determination if testing is recommended.

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