Atlanta Public Schools announced on Thursday evening the first case of the coronavirus within the district.
The district said that the Fulton County Board of Health notified APS of a "confirmed case of COVID-19," but said that no students were exposed to the unidentified employee who works at North Atlanta High School.
Staff members had “no close contact” with the employee, stated a letter from Superintendent Meria Carstartphen to employees and parents.
“The board of health is communicating directly with the employee and has directed the employee to self-quarantine. Based on their determination, public health officials do not have any other students or employees to interview at this time. Per guidance from health officials, the identity of the employee must be kept confidential, but we can disclose that the employee did work at North Atlanta High School,” Carstarphen wrote.
North Atlanta High School students and staff members are advised to monitor their health at home and remain vigilant to prevent the spread of the virus.
Atlanta school buildings closed starting Monday, when the district had its more than 50,000 students begin doing school work remotely.
In a news release issued after the letter was sent, Carstarphen said:
“Health officials confirmed for us that the biggest public health intervention we could have done has already been, and that was to close all schools in Atlanta Public Schools, a recommended mitigation strategy.”
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