Watch CBS News

Student From Elk Grove Unified Tests Positive For Coronavirus

ELK GROVE (CBS13) — The Elk Grove Unified School District announced a student at Maeola Beitzel Elementary School has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The test result comes after the district already canceled all schools for a week over coronavirus concerns, and district leaders are now deciding whether the closure should be extended.

According to the district, the child's family had been put on quarantine last week after two family members tested positive for the virus. On Monday, one child also tested positive. The district said the child's three siblings have also been tested and have not tested positive at this time.

READ ALSO: Sacramento County Announces Shift Away From Quarantines In Coronavirus Mitigation Efforts

The quarantined family has four children who are enrolled at two schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District. The district shut down and moved up their spring break effective immediately until March 13 after learning a family member connected to a member of the district was tested positive for COVID-19. Superintendent Christopher Hoffman said 67 schools will be closed for one week.

District officials were set to hold a press conference Monday afternoon but canceled the availability to meet with the Sacramento County department of public health.

ALSO: Parents Forced To Find Alternative Activities For Kids After Elk Grove Unified School District Closes Schools For Week

There are currently 133 positive cases of COVID-19 in California, not including the Grand Princess cruise ship passengers. More than 10,300 people are self-monitoring for the virus.

Word of the first student contracting the virus arrived at parks and playgrounds around the region packed with district families with no school or after-school programs. Parents at Jan Rau Community Park called the district-wide closure extreme.

"I'm not worried about it," parent Mark Doty said. "In my opinion, I think the district probably overreacted, but it is what it is."

"It has impacted us, but obviously we want to make sure everybody's safe," parent Terri Kral said. "So we're just complying like everybody else."

The state has issued new coronavirus guidelines for school districts to follow in the event a student, teacher or staff test positive and does allow districts to consider school closures.

Now as parents here wait for schools to open again, the Elk Grove Unified School District considers whether the one week closure is long enough. The school district sent a letter to parents tonight explaining the infected student and their family are currently in quarantine.

The school district says they are doing a deep cleaning of the entire campus. And while they initially called for a closure of one week — that could change.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.