3rd COVID-19 Case Confirmed At Andrew High School: Principal

TINLEY PARK, IL — In the span of just eights days, Andrew High School in Tinley Park has confirmed its third positive coronavirus case.

Principal Robert Nolting wrote an email addressed to the Andrew community on Wednesday, stating the school had received confirmation of another positive staff member. The staff was in attendance when asymptomatic and had discovered they were positive outside of school time, according to Nolting.

The first confirmed COVID-19 case was a student, Nolting shared on Oct. 6. On Oct. 9, Nolting sent out another email stating a staff member was asymptomatic when last in attendance, and has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Nolting said those who have been in "close contact" with the individual over the past few days have been notified.

The principal did not say whether the cases could be linked to each other.

On Oct. 7, a district representative told Patch the school is following the COVID-19 Interim Exclusion Guidance from the IDPH. This plan outlines how long and if a student or staff member needs to quarantine after testing positive; or after coming in close contact with someone who tested positive.

"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."

Patch will update this article if more information becomes available.