LYNN — A student at St. Mary’s High School tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday morning, according to Head of School Dr. John F. Dolan.
Dolan said the student, who has been absent from school all week, got tested on Wednesday and received his positive test results on Friday.
The Catholic school was notified late Friday morning and parents were informed by 11 a.m., Dolan said, noting that this was the first positive test at St. Mary’s this school year.
“It’s obviously concerning,” said Dolan. “The safety of all of our staff, faculty and students is No. 1.”
A small number of students with possible exposure have been identified through the school’s contact tracing that was performed on Friday, but Dolan said the positive test appears to be an isolated case and will not impact the school’s in-person learning model.
The school did not close on Friday, sports will continue as planned this weekend, and students will be back in their classes on Monday, he said.
“Upon learning of the positive COVID test for one of our students, we were in immediate contact with the Lynn Department of Public Health,” said school nurse Lisa Morin-Plante. “We are grateful for all the support they have provided, both in preparing for our return to school and now as we follow the protocols called for in this situation.”
Unlike the city’s public schools and the charter school in Lynn, KIPP Academy, which have all started the school year remotely, St. Mary’s opted to proceed with a fully in-person learning model this fall.
“We were five weeks in with no cases,” said Dolan, noting that students began returning to the building on Aug. 28. “That does not guarantee us a sixth week.”
Dolan said students were reminded over the school’s loudspeaker on Friday to remain vigilant and adhere to COVID-19 precautions, such as wearing face masks, social distancing and hand washing.
So far, he said students have done a good job of complying with those safety protocols. Dolan said the student who tested positive appears to have contracted the virus late last week after coming into contact with someone off campus.
“That’s why we will continue with in-person learning, because it was an isolated case,” said Dolan. “A lot of this is frame of mind, peace of mind. We want our students to know it’s concerning, but to stay vigilant and we think we have a path forward.”
Dolan said regular testing is being conducted at St. Mary’s through their partnership with the Lynn Community Health Center.
