LUSD employee tests positive for coronavirus

LODI — An employee at the Lodi Unified School District has tested positive for COVID-19, district officials reported Tuesday morning.

The district posted a notice on its Facebook page that the employee, who works at the district office at 1305 E. Vine St., “self-reported” testing positive late Monday evening.

However, the district said the employee’s test had not been confirmed by San Joaquin County Public Health Services, the post said, but the district office was closed out of caution.

Although the employee had not been in the building for several days, the district said its custodial crews began sanitizing the building early Tuesday.

Federal health privacy laws restrict the district providing any more information about the employee, officials said.

The district’s announcement comes the day Public Health Services

reported 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus exposure in San Joaquin County. There were still only two deaths reported related to exposure.

“As testing is increasing, public health officials expect to see more results that are positive for COVID-19,” the district said. “This is why we, as a school district, have closed schools and why the State of California has issued the stay at home orders.”

Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer and Lodi City Manager Steve Schwabauer were scheduled to present an 11 a.m. livestream on Facebook answering questions and addressing concerns from the public about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it’s affecting both agencies.

Following news of the employee’s health, that livestream was canceled. The district said it was working on providing its own remote livestream for later in the day.

“Grateful for the employee who notified that they were sick,” Crystal Henry commented on the post. “There is no shame in getting sick. They are saving lives by telling others.”

Other parents commenting on the district’s post offered their sympathies and condolences, but wondered whether schools would reopen in April.

“So scary,” Jimmy and Sarah Ramirez posted. “Pray for a recovery but as to why our schools should remain closed like (Gov. Gavin) Newsom suggests, 8 to 10 weeks. There are still more and more daily testing positive.”

The free lunches and next-day breakfasts to be distributed to students at various campus bus stops and cafeterias will continue as scheduled, and school is still anticipated to resume on April 6, according to the district.

“We understand this is a stressful situation for everyone,” the district posted. “We are vigilant about working with local and state public health officials to investigate all reported or suspected cases of COVID19. If at any time you have a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, public health officials request that you please reach out to your primary care provider for further guidance.”

For additional information about the district’s COVID-19 plan, visit