One week after reopening, El Dorado school announces student tests positive for COVID-19

One week after opening its classrooms to in-person instruction, Rescue Union School District informed the public that a student tested positive for COVID-19.

The district, home to 3,700 students at five elementary schools and two middle schools just outside of El Dorado Hills about 30 miles east of Sacramento, is able to open because the county has remained off of the state’s monitoring list and complied with the long list of requirements to reopen.

The district was informed on Sunday a child at Lakeview Elementary School tested positive for the virus.

Only one cohort of 11 students will be quarantined, in accordance with communication and guidance from El Dorado County Public Health officials.

Those students and their teacher will return to school on Sept. 2, according to a statement from district Superintendent Cheryl Olson.

“In the meantime, our schools will remain open and continue to operate under our strict social distance guidelines and enhanced disinfecting procedures,” Olson stated.

The district followed county and state guidelines in its reopening plan, including physical distancing and mandatory masks for teachers and students in third grade and older. About 800 of Rescue districts’ students chose to continue distance learning in the fall.

This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 3:07 PM.