Alcona Head Start class to return after virus scare
ALCONA — An Alcona Community Schools Head Start class sent home last week because of possible coronavirus exposure has been cleared to return to school today.
Superintendent Dan O’Connor informed parents in a letter on Wednesday. District officials had hoped the class would return Tuesday of next week.
The preschool class had been self-isolating since Friday after a probable case of coronavirus infection was discovered in connection with the class.
O’Connor said District Health Department No. 2 notified him the class was able to return because of at least one negative COVID-19 test. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Officials from the Health Department could not be reached for comment.
As of Wednesday, 37 Alcona County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and 29 have recovered.
O’Connor said in the letter that the Health Department would contact those impacted to personally inform them about the change in circumstance.
Meanwhile, a football player in the district is also isolating at home after coming into close contact over the weekend with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Monday’s football practice was canceled, pending further details about the exposure.
Alpena Public Schools also recently notified parents of two third-grade classes — one at Sanborn Elementary School and one at Ella White elementary school — that a student in each class had been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Students in the Sanborn classroom were cleared by District Health Department No. 4 to return to school on Monday after negative COVID-19 test results and further case investigation.
The third-grade class at Ella White is expected to return to school on Monday.
Meanwhile, health officials reported Wednesday one more Alcona County resident has tested positive and five are newly recovered, meaning they’ve lived 30 days past the onset of symptoms or after testing positive.
In Northeast Michigan, 203 people have been confirmed infected with the coronavirus since the pandemic hit Michigan in mid-March, and 165 have recovered.
Statewide, 124,687 people have tested positive, of whom 95,051 have recovered as of Friday, and 6,762 have died after testing positive for the virus.
Other Northeast Michigan numbers, updated today:
* Positive tests: Alpena County residents, 127; Presque Isle County residents, 25; Montmorency County residents, 14; Alcona County residents, 37.
* Deaths: Alpena County residents, 14; Presque Isle County residents, one; Montmorency County residents, zero; Alcona County residents, two.
* Recoveries: Alpena County residents, 106; Presque Isle County residents, 19; Montmorency County residents, 11; Alcona County residents, 24.
Tests reported since Tuesday’s update: Alpena County residents, zero; Presque Isle County residents, four; Montmorency County residents, six; Alcona County residents, nine.
Drive-thru test in Atlanta Oct. 12
Free drive-thru coronavirus testing will be available at the Atlanta District Health Department building, 12519 State St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12.
No doctor referral is required, and any Michigan resident may be tested, regardless of symptoms.
Anyone testing positive will be called by health officials, although test results will also be available on an online portal.