COVID-19 cases reported at 3 Wake County high schools
Three Wake County high schools have confirmed COVID-19 cases associated with their athletic teams, the schools announced on their websites.
The cases, first reported by WRAL, are at Fuquay-Varina High School, Heritage High School in Wake Forest, and Panther Creek High School in Cary.
Each has one confirmed case, according to the schools. They did not say whether those infected were students or adults.
“We have been notified that an individual associated with one of our athletic teams has tested positive for COVID-19,” a message on Fuquay-Varina’s homepage stated. “The individual was last on our campus Tuesday, October 20.”
The person at Panther Creek was last at the school Oct. 21, that school’s website said. The person at Heritage High was last at the school Oct. 22.
All the schools provided the same information as in this message from Fuquay-Varina High School:
“We are working closely with the Wake County Public Health Division and the individual to identify and notify anyone who may have been in close contact with the individual to provide them further instructions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines close contact as being ‘within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more.’
“There is nothing for you to do unless you are contacted by your local health department. If you are contacted by your local health department, please respond immediately and follow their instructions.
“If you are worried you may have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you can be tested at one of the free testing locations throughout Wake County. You may also consult with your healthcare provider or call the Wake County COVID Hotline at 919-856-7044.
“Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, a new cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or a new loss of taste or smell.”
Most high school students not at school
The cases come as the first Wake County students, mainly elementary students, returned to classes Monday for the first time since March. The district plans to post online an updated list of schools where there have been confirmed COVID-19 cases.
On Wednesday, families at Forest Pines Drive Elementary School in Raleigh were notified that a person associated with the school had tested positive for COVID-19. That person was last at the school Tuesday.
The only Wake high school students currently taking in-person classes are in certain special-education programs.
Most Wake high school students will continue taking only online classes for the rest of the fall semester. Wake is looking at bringing high school students back in January in a plan that would split them into three groups rotating on a schedule of one week of in-person classes and two weeks of online classes.
In the meantime, Wake is allowing some high school athletic teams on campus to hold workouts. This group includes cross country, volleyball, swimming, diving, basketball and cheer teams.
Some other high school students, such as those in band, chorus, theater, dance and other arts groups, are also being allowed back on campus. But Wake isn’t allowing those groups to sing or play brass and woodwinds instruments until special face coverings arrive..
This story was originally published October 28, 2020 at 8:36 AM.