BATH – The
Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that a student
from Jasper-Troupsburg Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first student to test positive in
Steuben and brings the total to 356 confirmed cases, 17 of which are currently
active. The student is a resident of the
Town of Troupsburg.
The student
is isolated and being monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff worked with school
officials to investigate and identify close contacts of the confirmed case and
exposure risks. All those known to have
direct contact with the student have been reached out to by Public Health
and/or the school. Classmates, affected
teachers, and contacts from the school bus are being quarantined.
The student
last attended class on Friday, September 11 and began showing symptoms on
Sunday, September 13.
“Gatherings,
in general, pose a risk for spreading COVID-19,” said Public Health Director,
Darlene Smith. “Unfortunately, students gathering at school are sometimes in
close quarters which requires stringent prevention strategies. We are confident this one student was caught
early and are hopeful this will not lead to multiple cases. Quarantining the contacts greatly limits the
potential for further spread.”
All
school-related questions should be directed to the Jasper-Troupsburg Central
School District, and any questions related to COVID-19 should be directed to
Public Health by calling 607-664-2438.
All
residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever,
cough, shortness of breath, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle
pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell and contact their
healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.
