COVID-19 closes North Scott High School

Health department warns of positive case rise in Eldridge

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North Scott High School will cease in-school classes at least through Oct. 5 following a spike of infections that led to quarantining of more than 200 high school students.

A spike in northern Scott County infections prompted the action that includes  cancelling high school events and practices. All high school students will revert to online classes.

Elementary and junior high classes remain.

Here is the school district's full press release:

North Scott High School to Temporarily Close Building
Eldridge, Iowa — At 1:00 pm on September 17th, Mr. Stutting, North Scott Superintendent, contacted the Scott County Health Department regarding the number of positive cases of COVID-19 at North Scott Community High School. At the time of the phone call our High School Administrators were in the process of quarantining our Varsity Volleyball Team, our Sophomore Football Team, and many other students due to 11 positive cases of both students and staff within one calendar week, 5 of which were reported today (9/17/2020). We are estimating that the number of students who will be quarantined at the High School alone will be over 200 students.

During the phone call, the Department of Health informed us that Northern Scott County has had a dramatic increase in positivity rate. One week ago our positivity rate was 8.7%. In the last three days it has increased to 11.8%.

According to the Scott County Health Department, the City of Eldridge has doubled the number of positive cases within the past four weeks. We are projected to double the number yet again in less than a four week time period.

Scott County Health supports the district in the decision to close our High School for face-to-face learning for two weeks. At this time, all other school buildings will remain open.

Beginning tomorrow, September 18th, North Scott Community High School will be closed and all high school level activities will be cancelled. We have applied to move our High School to a continuous learning model in which all learning will be conducted virtually until October 5th. We are working with the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Health for approval. This closure means that all activities are cancelled, including practices.

At this time, we have no evidence of a school spread. The positive tests we are reporting to the community on a weekly basis are a result of community transmission. This means we need our families to do their part. In order for our North Scott Community Schools to remain face-to-face, we need all stakeholders to do their part: Stay home if you're sick, wear a mask, wash your hands regularly, and socially distance yourself from others.

North Scott High School, Joe Stutting, Scott County Health Department, volleyball, football, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Department of Health

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