No new COVID-19 cases were reported this week by the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. However, the number of close contacts who have had to quarantine — either due to exposure inside the school system or outside of it — has increased.
Since school reopened on Aug. 10, BCSC has reported a total of 22 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases.
Superintendent Jim Roberts said that of this number, there are 14 student cases and eight staff cases. Of the student cases, 10 were enrolled in remote learning. He said at Monday’s board meeting that BCSC has not had a positive test case since Aug. 31.
Five of the cases come from Columbus East High School. Four are from Richards Elementary. The administration building, Clifty Creek Elementary, Mt. Healthy Elementary and Columbus North High School each have had two cases. The following schools have had one case each: Busy Bees Academy, Columbus Signature Academy Fodrea, Columbus Signature Academy New Tech, Parkside Elementary and Southside Elementary.
Roberts also said that a total of 367 close contacts have been identified from both internal and external positive cases, up from 341 last week.
Roberts said Monday that a “sizable portion” of close contacts are quarantining due to exposure to cases outside of the school system. He and school board president Jeff Caldwell expressed gratitude that these individuals are being responsible and “self-acknowledging” their exposure.
