Middletown Elementary School Detects Positive Coronavirus Case

MIDDLETOWN, RI—A member of Aquidneck Elementary School in Middletown has tested positive for coronavirus, resulting in the impacted classroom being closed until November 24.

According to a statement from Superintendent of Schools Rosemarie K. Kraeger, the school was notified of the positive case on Tuesday and is currently working to identify close contacts.

"Staff have been working closely with RIDOH’s COVID-19 Unit to determine who had close contact with the person who tested positive," wrote Kraeger. "A 'close contact' is defined as a person(s) who were within 6 feet of an infected person (with or without a mask) for at least 15 minutes, or having unprotected direct contact with secretions of a person with confirmed COVID-19 during the infectious period (i.e. an infected person coughs in another person’s face). All close contacts will be notified and advised to quarantine for 14 days."

Although it is unknown whether the positive case is a student or staff member, Kraeger said that those who meet the definition of a close contact will be contacted by a RIDOH Case Investigator. She urged parents to watch their children for symptoms of the virus, which can include cough, fever, chills, muscle and body aches, headache, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and recent loss of taste or smell.

If your child develops any of these symptoms, contact your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider and call the K12 COVID Test Scheduling Service at 1-844-857-1814 in order to schedule a test," wrote Kraeger. "Students should not be charged any co-payments/deductible for testing per State and Federal guidance. Lack of insurance coverage will never stop someone from receiving a test."

Kraeger said that Aquidneck Elementary School will follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by disinfecting the classrooms, bathroom, and other spaces used by students and staff before they return to the school.

According to the most recent statistics on the Middletown Public School's website, there have been 16 positive COVID-19 cases within the district and 150 individuals are currently in quarantine in relation to those cases as of November 5.