Pasco Superintendent Tests Positive For Coronavirus

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Pasco School Superintendent Kurt Browning notified Pasco County school employees today that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and is now in isolation at home.

He has experienced relatively minor symptoms (fever, chills, fatigue and general achiness) since Friday. Those symptoms led him to seek a test. The results came back positive on Sunday.

“My symptoms are relatively minor, but I’m not taking this lightly,’’ Browning, 61, said on Monday. “I’m looking forward to getting back to work full strength as soon as the medical experts say I can.”

Though the superintendent has spent some time working in the office in recent weeks, he was informed that his interactions do not amount to close contact and do not require self-isolation or testing for those he came in contact with.

Pasco County Schools spokesman said he is not aware of any other school employee who has tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Over the summer, I’m not sure we would necessarily be notified if someone was infected," he said.

The superintendent wants to be open and transparent as the school district and community deal with this unusual illness, and he urges anyone who experiences symptoms to take appropriate steps and seek medical advice and/or testing, so they can avoid possibly infecting others.