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Lehighton Elementary Center has 3 COVID cases

Three individuals at Lehighton Area Elementary Center, who were last in the building before the Thanksgiving holiday, have tested positive for COVID-19, district officials announced Friday.

Two of the individuals, Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said, live in the same household. All three were last in school on Nov. 25.

Elementary students in Lehighton continue to attend school five days a week after the board of directors voted last month to continue the in-person model of education.

The district has agreed to sign the attestation form stating that it will continue mitigation efforts designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible in order to keep schools open.

“These confirmed cases did not trigger a temporary change to an all-virtual platform at this time; however, in the event our Elementary Center receives notice of six or more positive cases within a 14-day window, we will be required to temporarily move to an all-virtual learning platform for that building,” Cleaver said. “It is important that parents and guardians are prepared for this type of an announcement.”

On Thursday, Lehighton issued a letter announcing an individual at the elementary center who was last in the building on Nov. 24 had tested positive for COVID-19.

The entire community, Cleaver added, plays a role in adhering to the health and safety measures put forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to help to keep schools open.

“We can mitigate the spread of the virus in our schools and community by wearing a face covering, social distancing, practicing good hygiene and adhering to the guidance regarding travel and gatherings with persons not habitually together,” he said. “These measures remain critical in order for our Lehighton Students to continue to have the option of in-person instruction moving forward.”