BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. – Three days after the school year began, a member of the Bradford County school system has tested positive for COVID-19, a district official confirmed Friday.
Assistant Superintendent David Harris said someone tested positive in their schools on Thursday afternoon. Students in the district returned to classrooms on Monday.
Harris would not say which school the infection occurred or if it was staff or a student who tested positive for novel coronavirus.
Jennifer Brown, a mother of three, is worried about her child’s health after he was exposed to COVID-19.
Brown said her child attends Southside Elementary in Starke, but it’s unclear if that is the same COVID-19 case referenced by Harris.
“Basically no one can come to class including the teacher and other people can go to school,” Brown said.
Her son was excited about going to class, but the COVID-19 virus can make life more dangerous for him. Brown said he has a serious health condition.
“He has a G6 PD,” she said. “It’s a deficiency in which the red blood cells break down when it comes in contact with an infection. It could be very deadly for him.”
Brown’s son has been tested for COVID-19, she hopes that the results come back negative.
Harris said the local health department has notified parents and staff if they came in contact with that person.
The room where the positive person was has been deep cleaned, Harris said, and the district used a deep fog to help sterilize it. If the room is needed, it can be used again on Monday.
Harris said the schools are ready to revert to protocols and follow the plans they have in place when a positive case is reported.
Currently, masks or cloth face coverings are not required in schools but are strongly recommended, according to the district’s reopening plan.
Other school districts in Georgia and Florida have also reported exposures after students returned to class.
In Georgia, Ware County confirmed several employees tested positive and Pierce and Charlton county schools also reported positive tests.
Parents were told about the exposure in Starke but Brown said that’s not enough.
“I understand you can’t disclose certain things but at the same time when you have kids can really be harmed but you need to be more specific,” she said.