Another Sandwich High School student COVID-19 case confirmed on Thursday

SANDWICH – Sandwich School District 430 officials confirmed an eighth COVID-19 case throughout the district.

District administrators wrote in an email to staff and families Thursday, Oct. 29 they were notified of a confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the Sandwich High School student population.

The Sandwich cases echo COVID-19 activity in many of the other smaller districts within DeKalb County, including Hiawatha, Indian Creek and Genoa-Kingston, which all report single digits of cases.

Sandwich district officials are coordinating efforts with the DeKalb County Health Department to immediately identify and monitor those who may have had recent close contact with the person to help prevent further spread, according to the email provided to Shaw Media newspapers.

"If you do not hear anything from either the district or the health department, you and/or your student have not been identified as being in contact with this individual," district administrators said in the email. "Given the importance of confidentiality, no names, classes or other personal information will be provided."

The update comes after administrators reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sept. 15 within Sandwich High School, on Sept. 23 within W.W. Woodbury Elementary School, on Sept. 25 within Lynn G. Haskin Elementary School, on Oct. 2 within Sandwich High School, on Oct. 14 within Sandwich High School and on Oct. 18 within Lynn G. Haskin Elementary School and W.W. Woodbury Elementary School. Seven cases have been students and one case has been among staff, according to district emails.

Students within the district started classes Sept. 8. The Thursday email from administrators is the seventh email concerning lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases districtwide provided to Shaw Media newspapers.

District officials wrote that they will continue to work with the health department to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed. They urge staff and families to continue to emphasize the importance of practicing safe and healthy habits such as wearing face coverings, washing and sanitizing hands and staying at least 6 feet away from others.

Sandwich school officials will continue the self-certification process for staff and students and disinfecting affected spaces, per the email.

Administrators wrote that they recommend everyone monitor their health and stay at home if they are symptomatic. Those showing symptoms should contact their health care provider to determine a care plan and discuss testing or seek medical attention immediately if they develop severe symptoms, district officials said in the email.

Administrators urge staff members and families to contact their school with any questions.