By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State
Around 100 people have been quarantined due to a coronavirus outbreak in two Sheridan schools where requirements to use face masks were recently lifted.
An email sent out by Sheridan County School District No. 2 to families this week explained that there have been “small concentrations” of positive coronavirus vases at both Highland Park Elementary and Sheridan Junior High Schools. The email was shared by the Sheridan County Democratic Party on its social media.
“With the guidance of local health officials, schools are conducting contact tracing and requiring close contacts of positive cases to quarantine for 7-10 days,” the district said in the email. “At this point, each school has quarantined around 50 individuals.”
The district encouraged staff and students to be aware of the situation and to consider wearing masks to avoid contracting the virus or a possible quarantine.
“We ask that families discuss this matter at home and make informed decisions, knowing the risk of quarantine is very real,” the email said. “Please note that individuals who choose to wear face coverings and/or are fully vaccinated are NOT required to quarantine.”
Sheridan County currently has 14 total active cases.
“As we have shared many times, our primary objectives are to keep students and staff safe, keep schools open, and keep working families at work,” the email said.
