DETROIT (WXYZ) — Two students attending in-person summer classes in the Detroit Public Schools Community District have tested positive for the coronavirus, the city confirmed Thursday.
In an update on Friday, Detroit's Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair released a statement saying an additional 57 students had been tested, and none of them were positive.
On Thursday total of 262 children were tested, with two returning with positive results; that's about a 1 percent infection rate, the city said. An additional 12 family members were also tested.
A federal judge recently ruled that summer school for the district could continue to hold in-person classes, which came with a lot of blow back from advocates and activists opposed to the measure due to safety concerns.
Since summer classes began more than a week ago, protesters have blocked buses from picking up students to take them to school. Some demonstrators have even been arrested.
The city says that parents and those who were in proximity to the infected students have been notified and advised to self-quarantine for 14 days while monitoring symptoms. Those students who have tested positive will continue with online classes.
The Detroit Health Department has also begun the process of cleaning and disinfecting the school and school school buses.
“Again we would like to thank the Detroit Health Department for working with us to provide rapid testing to students and families who chose the option of face-to-face summer school. We are committed to transparency and upholding the guidelines outlined by health authorities and the Center for Disease and Prevention. We will continue to work closely with the Detroit Health Department as we complete summer school and prepare to re-open in the fall. Our priority is to meet the needs of our families as we navigate this pandemic,” said Nikolai Vitti, superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District.
The students who a COVID-19 test will be allowed to return to their school buildings on Monday, July 27. Additionally, the health department says it will make sure that students and staff continue to receive free testing.
“Infection rates are low, which is consistent with rates across the City,” says Denise Fair, chief public health officer, Detroit Health Department. “This is what I would have expected. We are not seeing clusters and at this point, this does not suggest school spread. We will continue to partner with Detroit Public Schools Community District to ensure the health and safety of students.”
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