ALL NEWS

2 Utah schools quarantine students after 1 COVID-19 case on each campus

Sep 3, 2020, 6:37 PM | Updated: 7:26 pm

Utah Schools COVID-19...

School is back in session today for most districts across the state, which has some worried about a potential spike in coronavirus cases following Thanksgiving break. (PHOTO: KSL Newsradio)

(PHOTO: KSL Newsradio)

ERDA, Utah – Two Utah schools have issued quarantines for several of their students, after some members of the school population tested positive for COVID-19. 

A few days ago, Excelsior Academy in Erda, Utah learned that one person at the school had become sick with COVID-19. 

Executive Director Stephanie Eccles said that’s when the school conducted extensive contract tracing — which led to the entire first grade class being quarantined. 

“We now have so many that had contact — not a positive case but had contact — with that person,” Eccles said. “We’re going to have an online model for our first grade only.”

Online classes will start Sept. 8 and Eccles said she hopes it will only last a few weeks.

Eccles stressed that the school is following Tooele County Health Department guidelines, and parents have been understanding with its decision. 

Similarly, Sand Ridge Junior High School in Roy also decided to quarantine 100 students after one case on campus. 

Weber School District Community Relations and Safety Specialist Lane Findlay acknowledged the decision may seem like a head scratcher for many people — considering children are at a low risk of getting a serious case of COVID-19. 

However, he said it was done to protect people’s health. 

“We do have students who are at high risk,” Findlay said. “We have staff members or teachers who are high-risk, that maybe have underlying health conditions. If they were to contract [COVID-19], it really could be a matter of life or death.”

Like Excelsior Academy, the quarantine was a precautionary move. 

“Our goal in this is to minimize the potential spread of the virus, to protect other people’s health, and then prevent an outbreak from happening where we may have to eventually shut down the school,” Findlay said.

Typically, quarantines for COVID-19 last two weeks to outlive the 14-day incubation period of the virus.   

It’s unclear whether it was a student or staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 at Excelsior Academy, as the school does not publicly release private medical information.

However, the Weber School District confirmed it was a student at the junior high who came down with the virus. The district did not expand on that description.  

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

easter egg basket shown, easter spending will be in the billions in the us...

Peter Johnston

Easter spending could bring a $22 billion golden egg for retailers

Easter spending might not be as high this year compared to 2023 but Americans are still expected to spend $177 each on the holiday.

27 minutes ago

a person pumps gas, which is expected to lower in price in 2023...

Andrew Adams, KSL TV

Data shows significant uptick in gas prices over past month in Salt Lake area

AAA gas prices showed Utah with an average price of $3.77 as of Thursday morning, up from nearly $3.13 a month ago.

36 minutes ago

planting trees in a container...

Mitchell von Puttkammer

Dig, clip, water: Planting trees in the spring

It's a great time of year to plant trees, but where do you start? KSL Greenhouse Hosts Maria Shilaos and Taun Beddes dig up everything you need to know to get started.

1 hour ago

The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the br...

Nick Perry

Baltimore bridge collapse puts the highly specialized role of ship’s pilot under the spotlight

The highly specialized role — in which a pilot temporarily takes control of a ship from its regular captain — is coming under the spotlight this week.

9 hours ago

Shopping carts are parked outside a Home Depot in Philadelphia...

MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer

Home Depot buying supplier to professional contractors in a deal valued at about $18.25 billion

Home Depot will buy SRS Distribution, a materials provider for professionals, in a deal valued at approximately $18.25 billion.

10 hours ago

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

2 Utah schools quarantine students after 1 COVID-19 case on each campus