Courtesy Image An illustration of the coronavirus provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ALPENA — Local public health officials have cleared a Sanborn Elementary School third-grade class and its teacher to return to school on Monday.

That class and another third-grade class at Ella White Elementary were sent home on Monday after a student in each class began showing symptoms of coronavirus infection after being exposed to someone infected with the virus.

Interim Alpena Public Schools Superintendent Susan Wooden today said District Health Department No. 4 cleared the Sanborn class because of negative COVID-19 test results and further case investigation.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Wooden said the Ella White classroom is still learning at home because no test results are available yet.

In a letter to parents today, Wooden recapped the incidents and clarified the district’s COVID-19 protocol.

In the letter, she shared that the Health Department identified the students as “probable cases,” which it treats the same as positive infections.

District Health Department No. 4 then informed all close contacts of the students, per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Parents of students in the affected classrooms on Monday were notified in a letter. On Tuesday, a robocall went out on Tuesday to all parents at both elementary schools, notifying them of the incidents.

Wooden said on Wednesday the district changed its notification process for parents and staff after hearing residents were discontent not knowing the students at both schools were showing symptoms.

Parents will still be notified in a letter when a student in their child’s class has been exposed to COVID-19. The rest of the school’s parents will be notified in a robocall, and district staff will be notified by email. She said notices will be available on the district’s website and posted to its Facebook page, and press releases will be sent to the media.

APS COVID-19 Communications Protocol by Crystal Nelson on Scribd