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Sanford High School, Technical Center Go Remote After Three COVID-19 Positives

Sanford High School and the Regional Technical Center have switched to remote learning for at least two weeks, following three cases of COVID-19 at the integrated schools. Reopening will be contingent on how the schools, and the greater community, fare with the virus.

It was after the first person tested positive last Friday that Sanford Superintendent Matt Nelson decided to switch the high school and regional technical center — which are integrated in one building — to distance learning. Then two more individuals tested positive over the weekend.

The three cases are among students and staff, Nelson says, and at this point don’t appear to be connected by one particular class or family.

“Our hope here is that what we’ve seen will hopefully be a reminder that we very much have to continue to take this seriously and follow all the necessary precautions, regardless whether you’re symptomatic or not, or regardless of whether this has impacted you and your family or not,” he says.

Nelson says students have done a good job following safety precautions at school. But the greater Sanford community has seen an increase in cases and several outbreaks in recent weeks.

Before deciding to reopen, Nelson says he’ll consult with state officials and evaluate the status of the virus in the school community and the city.

According to Nelson, a few dozen close contacts of the individuals who have tested positive are now quarantining.