The Tamaqua School District reported a COVID-19 case on Thursday, which marked the fifth districtwide across the last 2 weeks.

Superintendent Ray Kinder addressed district families in a letter on Thursday.

“The school has communicated with members of the department of health collected data, analyzed factors of transmission and developed recommendations,” said Kinder in the letter.” After this consultation, it was determined that no additional individuals will need to quarantine.”

The individual is a member of the high school.

According to Kinder, the student has not been in any of the school buildings in almost 2 weeks.

Schuylkill IU 29 Executive Director Dr. Greg Koons sent a letter to his staff earlier this week, which discussed Schuylkill County’s new “substantial status.”

He noted that “ongoing discussion continues with weekly superintendent meetings regarding the revision and review of Health & Safety Plans, instructional models, and the focus on student safety.”

Koons organizes and hosts the frequent meetings between Schuylkill County superintendents. He noted that the departments of health and education met with Schuylkill and Berks superintendents on Oct. 19 and 26, as both counties entered the pandemic’s substantial status.

“The recommendation is for these schools to move to online or virtual learning, but the decision is one that is made at the local level,” said Deputy Press Secretary of the DOH, Maggi Mumma, earlier this week.

According to the DOH website, out of 67 counties, Schuylkill owned the eighth highest difference in confirmed cases over the most recent seven-day tracking period (Oct. 16-22) compared to the prior weekly sample. Only one 1 of the 5 TASD cases required others who may have been in close contact with the infected person to isolate.

“This is a reminder to not let our guard down when it comes to the virus,” Kinder’s letter said. “This is especially important when not attending school. Although no preventative measure is guaranteed, adhering to mitigation efforts at all times greatly reduces the likelihood of transmission. We must practice good habits, so we can remain in our current instructional model and have the ability to participate in those activities that are important to our school community.”