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All Avon schools to close for two weeks after student tests positive for the coronavirus

Hickory Elementary.JPG
Posted at 2:38 PM, Mar 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-09 19:50:35-04

AVON — A child in Avon and an adult in Noble County have tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus bringing the state's confirmed cases to four.

On Sunday, the state said a person in Hendricks County tested positive. That followed the announcement of the state's first confirmed case in Marion County on Friday. The adult in Marion County and the adult in Hendricks County had both traveled to Boston and health officials said that's likely where they came into contact with the virus. Both are self-quarantining. The adult in Noble County had recently traveled to Florida, although officials said they are unsure if that has any connection with the diagnosis. That person is still in the hospital. It's not clear how the child in Avon came into contact with the virus, however, they too are under a self-quarantine.

Officials in Avon said a second student in Hendricks County is being tested for the coronavirus. That child doesn't necessarily have it, but they are being tested.

Avon Community Schools has decided to close all schools in the district for two weeks as a precaution.

Students in Avon were seen tagging along with parents today, running errands after Avon Community Schools made the decision to cancel all classes.

"We were pretty shocked and my kids were a little worried at first," Joanne Soper, who has kids in the district, said. "I have twins and one of them was scared that they were going to get it."

PREVIOUS STORY | All Avon Community School Corporation schools will have an e-Learning day on Monday after the district was made aware that an elementary student tested positive for the coronavirus.

A student at Hickory Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19, according to a call the district made to parents Sunday evening. The call stated the Indiana State Health Department received test results that show a student tested positive. No other details about the student or their condition have been released.

Because of the new information, every school in the district will have an e-learning days for the rest of the month.

"THe Hendricks County Health Department and Avon Community Schools are working closely to determine the web of individuals who have had direct contacct with the two students," Dr. Margaret Hoernemann said. "That web has grown very large."

READ | Full Coronavirus Coverage from RTV6

You can read the full statement from Avon Community School Corporation below.

"On Sunday, March 8th at 10:25 p.m. Avon Community School Corporation was notified by the Hendricks County Health Department that a student from Hickory Elementary has tested positive for COVID-19/Coronavirus. The law directs us to keep student medical information confidential.

The Health Department received the positive test result late Sunday evening and shared it with us immediately. Because this information just became available, we believe it is prudent to exercise our option to have an e-Learning day on Monday, March 9th for the entire school district.

Although it is not required, the State Health Commissioner and Hendricks County Health Department have recommended that Hickory Elementary School be closed for two weeks through Friday, March 20th. It is our intent to provide our Hickory students with ongoing learning opportunities, which may include e-learning and other experiences. Hickory students and staff will be able to return on Monday, April 6th, following Spring Break.

We appreciate the guidance and collaboration provided by the Indiana Department of Health, the Hendricks County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Education."