Andrew High School Student Tests Positive For COVID-19

TINLEY PARK, IL — An Andrew High School student has tested positive for COVID-19, Principal Robert Nolting wrote in an email addressed to the Andrew community.

The principal said the District 230 student was last in attendance on Thursday Oct. 1. The same evening, the student received a COVID-19 test after finding out about a close contact.

The student's results came back positive over the weekend and the family notified the school Monday, according to Nolting.

The principal said the school identified six students who were in close contact with the positive student at some point on Oct. 1. Nolting said the school communicated with the families of these students yesterday, adding they also notified students who were in proximity of the positive student, even though they did not meet the IDPH criteria of close contact.

IDPH defines close contact as anyone within six feet of a person with COVID-19, for 15 minutes or longer, even if they are wearing a mask.

A district representative said the school is following the COVID-19 Interim Exclusion Guidance from the IDPH. This plan outlines how long and if a student needs to quarantine after testing positive, or coming in close contact with someone who tested positive.

The representative also said those who did not have close contact with the student who tested positive can return to campus immediately, after space has been sanitized. Each school in the district has a registered nurse on staff who follows IDPH guidelines, including an isolation area for anyone who shows COVID-19 signs.

The district also notified the Cook County Department of Public Health about the case, according to the representative. District-wide, staff members and students have to certify that they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms before arriving to the school each day. Visitors also have to complete a health certification when they arrive at the building.

Nolting said since learning about the case, the school has followed all protocols to notify families and make sure the campus is safe. He also complimented the family for being "fully cooperative and communicative" with the school, after learning about the diagnosis.

"During this challenging time of being accountable for student safety, while simultaneously working towards reopening, we continue to review all protocols and guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health," Nolting said. "We appreciate your continued support of our school and our efforts given the difficult situation we are all in."