PEQUOT LAKES — There are currently nine active COVID-19 cases among staff and students at the Pequot Lakes High School.
Interim Superintendent Kurt Stumpf sent out a letter Tuesday, Sept. 14, to students and families. In the letter, Stumpf said this number does not include the number of symptomatic people who are in the process of getting tested.
The majority of the cases occurred in the past two days.
“In order to streamline communication, there is a high likelihood that your child has been exposed to COVID-19 and should closely monitor symptoms,” Stumpf said in the letter.
Due to the cases, the school district will be implementing the following mitigation strategies:
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A mask is required to be worn upon entering the building on school days until 3:15 p.m. for all ninth through 12th grade students and staff. After the school day, masks are highly recommended.
Masks will not be required for students while engaging in activity during physical education class.
Maximum distancing in high school classrooms with physical education classes to be hosted outside as much as possible.
Additional lunchroom spaces will be added to allow for increased physical distancing.
Physical distancing at school events.
In the letter, school administration reminded everyone the number one strategy is to stay home when sick. Staff and students are reporting a rapid onset of symptoms prior to testing positive to COVID-19. The letter read many people who have COVID-19 have reported comments such as “I thought it was just allergies.” The common symptoms being reported are a mild cold or allergies and rapidly developing into body aches, fatigue, sore throat, headaches, chills, runny nose and feeling feverish.
Stumpf reported the mitigation strategies will be evaluated Sept. 29.
Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Stumpf declined to comment further.
