Coronavirus Exposure: Loyola Academy Cancels Classes

WILMETTE, IL — School officials said they canceled classes at Loyola Academy Monday after learning a student had contact with a person who has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The student, who was in class through Friday, and their family have shown no symptoms of the virus, leaders at the Catholic high school in Wilmette announced in a statement Sunday night.

But, after speaking with medical experts, Loyola officials decided to close the school for one day and disinfect the campus "as a result of this one student's exposure and out of an abundance of caution."

The family is under a 14-day voluntary quarantine for observation. As for the person infected with COVID-19, health officials are waiting for confirmation of the test results from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"We know this situation is unsettling," school officials said in the statement. "However, canceling school on Monday allows us to do an enhanced cleaning of the school and to consult further with public health officials.

Seven people have so far tested positive for COVID-19 in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, fewer than 250 people had been tested in the state, as of Friday. Results remained pending for 44 of them. Additional information about the state's testing protocol was not immediately available from the department.

Loyola is at least the second Chicago area school to be temporarily shuttered to avoid coronavirus exposure.

On Friday, state and local health officials announced in Chicago a staff member at Vaughn Occupational High School in the Portage Park neighborhood had recently returned to work after traveling on the Grand Princess cruise ship. Dozens of people on the ship have tested positive for the virus, including the Chicago Public Schools special education assistant. She was hospitalized and in stable condition. The school canceled classes until March 18 for its 212 students.

Related:
7th Illinois Coronavirus Case May Be From Community Transmission: Health Officials
6th Illinois COVID-19 Patient Is Chicago Public School Staffer, High School Shuttered
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More Than 100 Monitored After Exposure To Illinois Coronavirus Patients

Earlier on Friday, the fifth patient in the Chicago area to test positive for the novel coronavirus — a college student who had recently returned from Italy — was released to remain home quarantine, according to from Rush University Medical Center officials. Italy has been the country in Europe hit hardest by the outbreak of COVID-19. So far, at least 200 people have died and 6,000 people have been infected.

The state's first four cases were married suburban couples over the age of 60. One of the couples has since recovered. The other remains in home isolation, according to health officials. More than 100 people who came into contact with them remain under observation.

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Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said she expects to see more cases of the virus, but there has not been a recommendation to cancel large gatherings.

But Arwady urged businesses and community organizations to review emergency operations plans, including for remote working and sick leave. Those most at risk of complications from the virus should consider adjusting their travel plans, she said.

"People who are older and have underlying health conditions should consider limiting their travel and avoiding large gatherings," Arwady said.