Lake Washington School Sends Dozens Home, Fearing COVID Contact

KIRKLAND, WA — Kamiakin Middle School has ordered at least 53 students and staff members to stay home, after learning that they may have been in close contact with an individual who recently tested positive for COVID-19.

53 sent home is a sizable chunk of the school: last year the Kamiakin Middle School had just 603 students and 40 teachers on staff.

The district has not said if the COVID positive patient was a student, teacher or other employee, KOMO reported. A spokesperson for the district also told KOMO that the number of students and staff told to stay away could rise or decrease as they continue their contact tracing efforts and learn more about who may be infected.

In a letter to parents, School Principal Tim Patterson said the district was doing all it could to protect student health.

"Kamiakin Middle School and Lake Washington School District take these responses very seriously," Patterson said. "The district’s multi-barrier approach is in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19."

The news may come as a shock to some parents, whose children have not even been in the classroom a full week yet: the Lake Washington School District's first week of school was just last Wednesday for grades 1-12. Some Kindergarteners had their first day Tuesday, more will have their first days Wednesday and Thursday as the district completes a staggered return to class for its youngest learners.