WCCUSD Closes All Schools Amid COVID-19 Case Spike

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Officials with the West Contra Costa Unified School District have decided to close all schools and district offices Friday and Monday due to a spike in COVID-19 cases among staff and students.

In a message posted on the district website, Superintendent Kenneth "Chris" Hurst said the aim of the decision is to "alleviate some of the pressure and allow more time for those in our community who are out sick to heal."

The district includes schools in the cities of El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole and Hercules and the unincorporated areas of Bayview-Montalvin Manor, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Kensington, North Richmond and Tara Hills.

Hurst also asked students and staff to quarantine as much as possible over the long weekend and to get tested —either through an at-home test or through a health care provider — before returning to school on Tuesday.

"If your student is feeling sick or exhibiting any symptoms, please do not bring them to school," he said in the message.

Hurst said the closure includes the district's testing sites, which will reopen Tuesday: the Alvarado Adult School in Richmond; the Ohlone Elementary School campus in Hercules; and the district central office in Richmond.

The district website is at Wccusd.net.

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