The Tamaqua Area School District reported 3 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.

“Over the past 48 hours, we have been informed of positive cases of COVID-19 in our school district,” superintendent Ray Kinder said in a letter addressed to district families. “Three high school students, two of whom were already in quarantine tested positive.”

Kinder said the students have been assigned to isolate and are recovering.

According to Kinder, after consulting with the department of health, 4 more individuals will quarantine.

“We continue to encourage you to follow all safety protocols. Individuals should not attend group functions, interact without face coverings, nor engage in large gatherings. The spread of this virus is dependent upon people to interact and have unnecessary contact. It is up to us to eliminate that possibility.”

The news comes 2 days after the district reported a positive case at the high school that prompted 56 others to isolate.

Schuylkill County remains in the pandemic’s substantial status.

Earlier this week, department of health secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said COVID-19 is hitting Pennsylvania the hardest in its brief history.

Despite historic numbers, do not expect the state to shut down schools again.

“We absolutely do not plan to have a general school closure as happened in the spring,” Levine said. “But we might continue to make adjustments in our recommendations to schools.

“All of the guidance and recommendations are just that. They are not orders. There is local control in Pennsylvania and those decisions made by local authorities.”