An individual at Animas Valley Elementary who tested inconclusively for COVID-19 earlier this week tested negative in a follow-up test.
Durango School District 9-R notified families about the negative follow-up test on Wednesday. The cohort of 16 fifth grade students who were quarantined will return to school Thursday, said Jule Popp, 9-R spokeswoman.
A cohort is a group of students who stay together throughout the school day to minimize personal contacts students have at school.
The Animas Valley cohort was a group of students who were going to school five days a week.
9-R is offering three learning models this year as it deals with the novel coronavirus:
Students who attend in-person classes five days a week.Students who attend in-person classes two days a week and spend three days a week at home using remote learning.Students who receive all their instruction through remote learning.The district notified families about the inconclusive case Monday.
The follow-up test, a nasal swab, was also administered Monday and the negative result came back Wednesday morning.
9-R will quarantine cohorts that might have been exposed to someone who tests inconclusively. Quarantines that begin after someone initially tests inconclusively will continue until a follow-up test proves negative.
Popp said families should continue to socially distance, abide by the state order to wear a face mask and frequently practice hand-washing.
“All of us need to be vigilant and highly disciplined so that we can continue to operate as close to normal as possible and keep our schools safe and open,” Popp said.
The district also urges anyone, student or adult, who is feeling ill to stay at home.
Last week, three cohorts at Durango High School returned to school after an individual who had tested inconclusive was determined not to have COVID-19.
Fifteen students, one cohort at Florida Mesa Elementary, returned to school Wednesday after a 14-day quarantine after one student tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 2.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
