Udall Middle School Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus

WEST ISLIP, NY — A staff member at Udall Road Middle School tested positive for the coronavirus, the West Islip School District announced on Friday. According to a letter from Superintendent Bernadette Burns, the staff member was notified during the school day that a close contact had tested positive and immediately left the building to go and get a COVID test.

"We share this information with you as part of our ongoing efforts to keep the community informed of COVID-related issues that affect the school environment," Burns wrote in the letter. "However, we must respect the laws relating to the privacy of our students and staff members, and therefore will not provide any additional details."

Following the positive test result, health officials were notified and the district assisted in the contact tracing process. The Department of Health will inform those who are identified as being a close contact and will issue any quarantine orders if necessary. Any staff member and/or student asked to quarantine will return to the middle school only when released to do so by the health officials.

Schools in the district are closed Monday for Columbus Day. As of Monday, Udall Middle School is still scheduled to be open on Tuesday. According to the NY State COVID-19 School Report Card, in addition to the middle school case, as of Monday there are three reported positive cases reported at West High School: one "on-site" student and two "off-site" students.