Boerne ISD confirms 19 cases in 2 classes
Nineteen coronavirus cases were confirmed in two 5th-grade classrooms at a Boerne Independent School District elementary school late last month, among the largest outbreaks reported in any area school since the pandemic began.
The cases at Van Raub Elementary School were announced in the district’s regular Campus Active Health Report on March 31, with an “Urgent” label as part of the email subject heading.
“The confirmed cases appear to be isolated to two classes within the 5th-grade population,” the email read. “The reports of confirmed cases escalated overnight and early this morning.”
That day, the district sent its COVID-19 response team to the school and tested staff and students, which increased the initial count of 15 cases by four more, the email said.
District officials attributed the outbreak to socialization outside the school and to “health protocols while at school … not being practiced with fidelity, including not constantly wearing facemasks in the classroom,” the email said.
The cases were reported as asymptomatic, with those affected having no knowledge of the infection. All the students in the two classes were quarantined out of precaution, the district said. The outbreak was found the day before the district was to close for two days to deep clean the campus and review safety protocols before classes resumed April 5.
Monday, the district reported eight positive cases among its almost 10,000 students and more than 1,300 staff members.
“With only seven weeks left in the school year, it is extremely important to ensure everyone on our campuses follows (safety) protocols, especially wearing your mask properly,” Bryan Benway, Boerne ISD communications director, wrote in response to questions Monday.
The district has met with principals to “remind our campus staff and students to continue to wear their masks properly, wash their hands, and social distance when possible,” he said.