South Elementary School Reports Coronavirus Cluster

ANDOVER, MA — South Elementary School had an increase in coronavirus cases over the last week, Principal Brenda Lee said Friday in a letter to the school community.

The school expects there to be more cases, Lee said.

"Due to privacy laws, we cannot provide specific information about the school community members who tested positive," Lee wrote. "We do anticipate there may be additional positive cases, however, individuals who have been identified as close contacts of confirmed positive cases have been notified by our school nurse."

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The district's coronavirus dashboard only reported one case over the last week, but the town reported 12 cases among children under 11 from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.

"We understand this may cause some concern for our families and staff and we ask you continue to monitor for symptoms," Lee said. "COVID-19 remains a contagious illness and public health officials have stated that household transmission from a confirmed case is not uncommon, so we ask that you please contact us immediately if you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms. Additionally, we are encouraging our families to monitor their children and keep students who are exhibiting any symptoms home from school. Symptomatic individuals are encouraged to have a PCR test performed"

The district is also asking families and staff to report coronavirus results to the school nurses.

Staff and family with questions should email christina.lemonias@andoverma.us or lori.brown@andoverma.us or call 978-247-9800.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.