After closing both campuses for two days last week due to a cluster of COVID-19 cases, things are back to normal this week for the Sedona-Oak Creek School District.
Both West Sedona School and Sedona Red Rock Jr./Sr. High School resumed normal operations on Monday, Oct. 4, following closure Thursday, Sept. 30, and Friday, Oct. 1.
“On average, each positive COVID case results in approximately 20 close contact quarantines,” Assistant Superintendent Deana DeWitt said. “The new positive COVID cases reported last week would have an impact on a large portion of both campuses — students and staff members. In addition to our concerns about mitigating against this number of cases, it became apparent that we would not be able to adequately staff our classrooms due to staff absences.”
In all, DeWitt said between the two campuses they ended up with 12 students and staff members testing positive last week. The district says it follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines relative to positive COVID isolation. So, for those who tested positive that means 10 days quarantine from onset of symptoms or 10 days from the date the test was administered if the patient is asymptomatic.
“We were aware, from regular communication with YCCHS [Yavapai County Community Health Services] and regional school district superintendents, that there was an increase in positive cases within the Verde Valley and surrounding areas,” DeWitt said. “This many positive cases all at once was a bit of a surprise and taxing on our personnel.”
She added that while an outbreak is nearly impossible to predict, the district did what it felt was needed and will do so again if the same circumstances arise.
“The two-day closure adjacent to the weekend was meant to be a mitigation strategy,” she said. “While our goal is to safely keep our students in school, unfortunately there may be times when closing will become necessary. We will continue to follow CDC and YCCHS guidelines for contact tracing and promote proper hygiene and hand washing and distancing between students indoors whenever possible.”
