USD 378 staff member tests positive for COVID-19

School is in session Monday at USD 378 Riley County Schools.

The district was recently notified that a grade school staff member there tested positive for the coronavirus. Those who were close contacts of the individual, meaning they spent 10 minutes or longer with the staff member, are being personally notified by the school administration. Close contacts are directed to remain in quarantine until the health department notifies them of their virus status.

The district says if district residents did not receive a call from Principal Teresa Grant or Assistant Principal Jared Larson, their students were being allowed to return to classes Monday.

The Riley County Health Department says 215 people came out for free COVID-19 testing last Thursday at its two drive up testing sites.

That included 178 at the Manhattan location and 37 in Leonardville. All who came out will be contacted, regardless of if they test positive. Health officials expect that, along with contact tracing for potential positives, will take several days. Those who came out and have not been contacted by Friday, Oct. 9 should contact the health department.

The health department did not issue a COVID report on Friday. The latest numbers are expected out later Monday. According to its most recent update last Wednesday, the health department was monitoring 267 active cases. Pottawatomie County on Friday was monitoring 28 active cases.