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Tacoma school shuts down after staff member tests positive for coronavirus

TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma elementary school is shut down after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus. The temporary shutdown of Mary Lyon Elementary School comes after what's being called a “presumptive positive” test result.

“The health department told us it would be two to five days for them to conduct their investigation,” said Tacoma Public Schools spokesman Dan Voelpel. “That means the school will be closed at least through Tuesday March 10th.”

Hilda Morales says she's not worried about sending her kids to school. But she is making sure they follow the advice of health department officials. “I notice they have more hand sanitizers, more precaution and that. But no, I’m not worried about it,” said Morales.

Two more South Sound universities have decided to switch to online classes. The University of Puget Sound made the switch for all classes through the week, then spring break will give the school even more time to deal with the outbreak of the virus. It's the same situation at Pacific Lutheran University, and some students are disappointed.

“Changing to online, it’s doable. But I prefer in class learning. So it’s a bummer,” said Hampus Eliasson. Senior Kylee Shiraishi said the move to online classes comes as she approaches graduation. “I’m a music student and so we had all these concerts and recitals planned, but with this remote learning they decided to cancel all of that.”