Bay Port teacher likely got COVID-19 at funeral, family says
The family of Bay Port High School teacher Heidi Hussli believes she contracted the coronavirus at the funeral of a close relative.
Heidi Hussli’s family chose to speak through the school district about the evolution of her illness “to help counteract rumors,” Howard Suamico School District Superintendent Damian Lacroix said in a statement Sunday night. While it’s impossible to be positive about the source of the virus, he said, it makes sense that it would have been contracted at the funeral.
The statement said Hussli was exposed Sept. 3 or 4 while on bereavement leave, then returned to school briefly on Sept. 8 but went home sick. A COVID-19 test followed on Sept. 9.
The next brought a positive result and the beginning of a home quarantine.
“At the funeral, face coverings were worn, but social distancing was inconsistent,” Lacroix wrote. “Many attendees were in close contact with Heidi as they offered condolences. Heidi’s family indicated … they believe she contracted the virus at the funeral. Others who attended the funeral have also tested positive for COVID-19.”
She entered a hospital Sept. 12, and died the morning of Sept. 17.
The statement does not say if she had any other medical conditions.
Hussli had not had close contact with students or staff between the time she is believed to have contracted the illness and the time she stopped teaching, district officials said. Contact tracing by the Brown County Health Department said she had worn a cloth face covering and a plastic face shield, and used a plexiglass barrier at her desk.
The district plans to continue an ongoing review of its safety plan for Bay Port, Lacroix said, including meeting with county health officials Monday. Bay Port will not hold classes Monday and Tuesday but will have counselors available for students.
The Howard-Suamico Education Foundation is working with Hussli’s family to establish a memorial fund.