The Pearl B. Larsen PreK-8 School on St. Croix will revert to virtual learning on Sept. 9 and 10, due to confirmed COVID-19 exposure on the campus. School and district officials were informed of the exposures by the V.I. Department of Health on Sept. 8. An announcement will be made on when the campus will reopen for in-person learning.
As part of the Department of Education’s COVID-19 protocols, the affected areas of the campus will be thoroughly sanitized using the appropriate CDC-approved sanitizing solutions. Department officials pointed out that it is to be expected that there would be COVID-19 exposure on campuses as schools operate during the pandemic; however, all schools have the appropriate safety protocols in place to address cases as they arise.
“While we very much prefer to have our students on our campuses, their health and safety, and that of our staff, are top priorities,” said Commissioner Racquel Berry-Benjamin. “All of our school campuses have the capability to seamlessly move between in-person and virtual learning as we continue to educate students during the pandemic. We ask everyone to do their part – get vaccinated, continue to social distance, wash hands frequently, wear a mask – so that students can continue to learn uninterrupted on our school campuses.”
The department reminds employees who are sick to remain at home. If an employee has undergone COVID-19 testing, he or she should remain quarantined until negative COVID-19 test results are received. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, he or she should seek further guidance from the V.I. Department of Health or a healthcare provider.
Parents are also informed that if they or anyone in their household test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19-related symptoms, children in that household should not attend in-person classes. All members of the household must remain in quarantine until negative COVID-19 test results are received or until all members have been cleared by the V.I. Department of Health. To knowingly expose others to COVID-19 is punishable by fines and imprisonment.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to all USVI residents aged 12 and up. Visit www.covid19usvi.com/vaccines for more information or to schedule an appointment to receive the free COVID-19 vaccine.
