Mokena Junior High Principal Tests Positive For The Coronavirus

MOKENA, IL — Mokena Junior High School Principal Mike Rolinitis announced via a Facebook Live video Tuesday that he is under quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus. Rolinitis said he expects to remain at home for the next several days, until he "can beat this."

"I thought I had a little stuffed up head, and it turns out when I went into the doctor's they said that I tested positive for COVID-19," Rolinitis said on the video.

Mokena School District 159 Superintendent Mark Cohen said no further quarantines for D159 faculty, staff or students are expected, as Rolinitis was not unmasked within 6 feet of any individuals for more than 15 minutes Thursday or Friday, per Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines.

Related: Vaccine Required For Teachers, Health Care Workers In Illinois

Rolinitis' announcement comes as the District has seen an increase in positive coronavirus test results for students. Nineteen students who tested positive the week of Aug. 30, after only one positive case the preceding week, according to data tracked and published on the District's website; however, 59 students and five staff members are currently in quarantine.

The District updates metrics on its website weekly.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 1,197 new cases in Will County for the week of Aug. 23-29, with a positive test rate of 5.86 percent. The number of total cases is down 1.48 percent from the previous week, and the positivity rate is down 1.57 percent from the previous week.

This is a developing story. Check back for the latest updates.

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