Seattle Public Schools reports 44 COVID-19 cases

Students returned to class in Seattle on Sept. 1. And two days later, there were already 44 COVID-19 cases districtwide. Of the 44 COVID-19 cases, the district stated 41 are students and three are staff.

The Seattle School District is posting a COVID-19 dashboard on its website. But instead of listing schools by name, it is posting the data by region of the city.

KIRO 7 asked how many other students and employees were quarantined in connection with the 44 cases. A district spokesman said he is working to gather that information.

At Kamiakin Middle School in Kirkland, 53 students were told to stay home after a student with COVID-19 rode a school bus last week. The positive COVID-19 case was identified over the weekend. Mike VanOrden is the associate superintendent of Teaching & Learning Services at the Lake Washington School District. He said the district is working to finalize seating charts for school buses and wasn’t sure who was in close contact with the student, so they were cautious.

“We’ve been taking a conservative stance, particularly on a weekend, when we’re needing to gather information about potential close contacts. In that case, we played it very safe,” said VanOrden.

Last week, the school sent home 28 students after a classmate tested positive.

While students are in quarantine, they will be able to observe their teacher’s classroom through Microsoft Teams.

In Puyallup, there are five classrooms of elementary students under quarantine after a COVID-19 case was found in each one.

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