MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Health Department on Wednesday said there is a low risk of coronavirus exposure in classrooms as the school system prepares for the start of the school year.
The health department’s assessment came after it instructed a Monongalia County Schools transportation department employee to isolate.
The worker took an oral swab test on Monday. He had been at a county employee training session last week.
Monongalia County Schools Superintendent Eddie Campbell told MetroNews affiliate WAJR-AM wearing facial coverings and practicing social distancing are a crucial part of ensuring the school year will be safe.
“We have got to really drive home the point that we have to wear face coverings,” he said. “It’s not optional; it’s mandatory for our employees and students.”
The Monongalia County chapter of the American Federation of Teachers is urging employees to self-quarantine if they believe they have been exposed to the coronavirus.
“We need be sure we’re not putting ourselves in a situation where we even have to worry about that,” regional representative Neil Heard. “We have to err on the side of caution and be as safe as we possibly can moving forward.”
According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Monongalia County has a seven-day average of 7.7 daily coronavirus cases per 100,000 people.
The academic year begins Sept. 8.