Two people at Stewart Elementary School in Washington have tested positive for COVID-19. In a letter to families of the district, Superintendent Willie Stone explained that the District is working with local public health officials to assist with contact tracing and anyone identified with close contact with these two people has been contacted about necessary procedures.

All parents and guardians are asked to continue to monitor their student’s health and keep them home if they exhibit any symptoms associated with COVID-19 like fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, headache, congestion or runny nose, nausea, or new loss of taste or smell.

According to the school district, across all four buildings as of Monday there were three staff members and one student who tested positive for COVID-19. And there were 18 students absent due to exposure and in quarantine, and two staff members in the same situation. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, Washington County’s 14-day positivity rate as of Wednesday was 7.7%.