OSAGE COUNTY  — Two Linn R-2 students have tested positive for COVID, according to Osage County Health Department Administrator Susan Long, who said that as of Tuesday, 155 cases have been reported in the county, with approximately 30 active cases as some have been closed while other cases are still being investigated.

The good news is that the school cases are not epidemiologically linked. “That means we were able to trace contact to somewhere outside of the schools,” said Long. “We’re not seeing that COVID is being spread among students.”

Linn R-2 Superintendent Dena Smith said the school will continue with the procedures outlined in the reopening plan. 

“In addition, we will continue disinfecting our buildings according to our established procedures,” she said. “We want to thank all of the parents/guardians who have been so diligent in letting us know when their children are sick and taking every precaution they can. Through a team effort between school and home, we have made it through a month of school safely. We will continue doing everything we can to keep our faculty, staff, and students safe.”

Fatima R-3 announced last week that two teachers have tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes on the heels of positive tests for two high school students the previous week. Both students and their contacts have been cleared.

Superintendent Chuck Woody said both teachers have been put in quarantine.

From the beginning of the pandemic, schools in the county have been concerned about such positive results among faculty, and Woody said the biggest challenge is finding substitutes.

“We have a limited number of subs whether that be for cooks, bus drivers, or teachers,” Woody added. “We have a limited number of subs; otherwise our teachers have to cover and that puts an added burden on them.”

Woody noted it is possible that additional faculty may develop symptoms or test positive for the coronavirus, but at what point will that demand a change to the district’s approach?

“There is no magic number, but I’ve said all along what will impact us the most is the adults,” Woody said. “We are still going with school as we had been.”

A student has also tested positive at Holy Family.

Contact-tracing by the Osage County Health Department began immediately and anyone with close contact to the individual was to be notified within 24-48 hours.

It is also the recommendation of the health department to monitor symptoms and take temperatures on a daily basis.  

If symptoms develop, including fever, students are asked to stay home and contact their doctor by phone.

The health department also encourages everyone to continue to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if hand-washing is not possible.

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and cover coughs and sneezes.

Woody said the school will continue to clean and disinfect regularly to help ensure the safety and health of students and faculty.

Updates will be provided at the Linn R-2 and Fatima R-3 websites.

Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to contact the Osage County Health Department at 573-897-3103.

Two new nurses, Katy Gallagher and Katelyn Peters, have joined the health department, along with two clerical employees, June Kelley and Shirley Schmidt.

“This is really going to help,” said Long, noting that Kim Sallin, R.N., will be working full-time next week.

At Chamois R-1, a volleyball match scheduled for last Tuesday, Sept. 22, was postponed as the school was waiting for a test result that could have impacted the team’s ability to safely participate in that particular activity.  

“We were exercising caution for the benefit of both schools involved,” said Superintendent Lyle Best. “That particular contest has been rescheduled. Ideally, we are trying to avoid postponing a contest after another school has arrived here or when we arrive at another school. The timing can be tricky, but we are attempting to make sensible decisions. The school will always attempt to reschedule the activity if possible.”

Chamois has not had any reports of positive COVID tests for staff or students since the school year began Aug. 24.