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

ALPENA — An Alpena High School student has tested positive for COVID-19, Alpena Public Schools informed high school families and staff this afternoon in an email shared with The News.

The student has not been in the school building since Oct. 8, the district said.

The school informed parents it had implemented a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, although it was not immediately clear what that plan entailed.

The school was advised by health officials that only targeted isolation was needed, though it was also unclear from the communication who — if anyone — was isolated.

School board President Gordon said he didn’t know the answers to those questions. The News was unable to reach Superintendent David Rabbideau this evening.

Close contacts of the student have been notified by District Health Department No. 4, according to the school’s communication to parents.

School families have been notified to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

The Alpena High infection is at least the third coronavirus scare tied to a Northeast Michigan school district since classes resumed last month. One student each at APS’s Sanborn and Ella White Elementaries and an Alcona Community Schools Head Start class all sent students home after possible coronavirus exposure.

Meanwhile, local health officials reported today that two more Alpena County residents are infected. All other local test result numbers remained stable.

Nine Northeast Michigan residents have tested positive since Monday, for an area total of 222 infections since the pandemic hit Michigan in mid-March.

Of those, 188 have recovered and 17 have died.