Local school staff member tests positive for virus

A staff member in the local school district has tested positive for COVID-19. According to an email sent to staff by the Mount Horeb Area School Monday morning, the case was at the Intermediate Center.

“This email is to notify you that there has been someone at the Intermediate Center that has been diagnosed with COVID-19. While this is not the first confirmed case of a staff member contracting the virus, it is the first case of the school year so I am sending this email to all IC staff. If there are future cases inside the school, Public Health Madison and Dane County protocol indicates a letter will be sent to close contacts. This email is to inform you about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19,” reads the statement.

“People with COVID-19 may experience a range of symptoms including no or mild symptoms but still be able to spread COVID-19 to others. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, sore throat, cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headaches, congestion/runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea,” it continues. “At this time, there is not a recommendation that you need to be tested for COVID-19. Upon connecting with our school nurse, Pam Schaal, we recommend that you continue to monitor your symptoms and temperature daily. Please contact your health care provider if you present having any symptoms of COVID-19.”

COVID-19 is spread from person to person through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking. It causes mild symptoms in most people but can cause more severe illness, such as pneumonia.

In accordance with Public Health of Madison & Dane County protocols, communication was made with colleagues who the staff member reports contacting, and the school district’s administrative team “will continue to monitor any new developments.”

“In the meantime, we all send our well wishes into the universe in the name of all who have been impacted by this virus,” the statement concluded.