Palmerton Area School District reported two positive COVID-19 cases this week among students and teachers across its various buildings.

On Tuesday, the district was notified that a junior high school student tested positive followed one day later by a Towamensing Elementary employee.

“The student’s last day in school for face-to-face instruction was Tuesday, Jan. 5,” Superintendent Dr. Jodi Frankelli said. “He was on district property on Saturday, Jan. 9 for winter sports practice.

Anyone determined to have been in close contact with this student at Saturday’s practice will be contacted with quarantining information.”

The Towamensing employee is under the care of a doctor and is following the medical advice that was provided, Frankelli added. The employee was last in school on Friday, Jan. 8.

Anyone determined to have been in close contact with this employee will also be contacted with quarantining information.

In both cases, Frankelli said, another positive test in the junior high school or Towamensing within a 14-day period will result in a temporary shift to full remote instruction for those buildings. She urged anyone with a student in one of those schools or employees to have a plan in place as the shift to a temporary remote learning model could take place with little notice.

“With this case and any that arise in the future,” Frankelli said, “the administrative team and I will continue to rely on the directives, guidance, and advice of the Department of Health and our local medical professionals with regard to contact tracing and quarantining guidelines.

“We will assist our public health officials with any and all efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.”