Lincoln Elementary School in Washington has had a person test positive for COVID-19. The school district announced in an open letter from Superintendent Willie Stone, that a student or staff member tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The person’s identity will not be released by the school district per HIPAA guidelines. The district has notified those who were considered to have close contact with the confirmed case. Stone explained that the district is working with local public health officials to assist with contact tracing.

Parents and guardians are asked to continue to monitor their student’s health. Students and staff are asked to stay home if they exhibit any symptoms associated with COVID-19 which includes fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

As of Monday, Washington County’s 14-day positivity rate for COVID-19 was 6.2%. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, as of Monday Washington County had 367 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 306 recovered, and 11 deaths.