Lombard Elementary District 44 Cancels Classes Wednesday Due To Possible Coronavirus Exposure

Empty Classroom
Photo credit iStock/Getty Images

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Lombard Elementary District 44 has canceled classes for all eight of its schools and all after-school activities Wednesday, after learning that someone with coronavirus attended one of their volleyball games last week.

A communication from the DuPage County Health Department to students, parents and staff at Glenn Westlake Middle School reports that someone who attended a volleyball game last week has tested positive for COVID-19.

In response, school district officials said they've decided to close all buildings Wednesday to conduct enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures by licensed professionals in all eight schools in Lombard.

Superintendent Ted Stec said in an email to families that all after-school activities would be shut down moving forward, and that classes would be canceled Wednesday to “conduct enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures by licensed professionals in all eight of our schools.”

“Our decision to close school is above and beyond what is being recommended by health authorities and is not in response to a threat in our community,” Stec said. “We feel it is extremely important that we take all necessary precautions to best protect our students, staff and community members.”

We have just sent out the following communication to all parents and staff. We want to STRESS NO CASE OF COVID-19 HAS BEEN FOUND IN DUPAGE COUNTY. We are closing our schools out of an abundance of caution. https://t.co/UE0J9b7IO6

— Lombard District 44 (@tweetsfrom44) March 10, 2020

Schools are expected to reopen Thursday, Stec said. Officials plan to make up the missed day using an “emergency day” built into the calendar.

“What is also important to note is that while DuPage County currently does not have any reported cases of COVID-19, we all need to work collaboratively on protecting ourselves,” school officials said in a statement posted online.

Four schools in Chicago have canceled classes due to concerns about the coronavirus. One of those four, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet School Day School in Lakeview, is set to reopen Wednesday.

Related