Dearborn school closed after staffer's contact with coronavirus patient

Dearborn — A staff member at Whitmore-Bolles Elementary School is among the four new presumptive positive coronavirus cases announced by the state of Michigan Friday, according to Dearborn Schools. 

The school district announced Wednesday that a staffer at the school had been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, but did not receive test results back until Friday. 

The school at that time announced its closure pending the results.

But Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday closed all K-12 schools in an attempt to limit the spread of the disease. The state as of Friday afternoon had confirmed 16 coronavirus cases in Michigan.

"The Wayne County Public Health Division has determined that the staff member was not contagious while in the building; therefore, our students were not exposed to the COVID-19 virus at school," the school said in a statement. 

The school was completing a professional cleaning of the building Friday. People with further questions should contact Wayne County health officials on the COVID19 information line at (734) 287-7870.

“We appreciate the support and expert guidance we have received from Wayne County in handling this situation,” commented Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Glenn Maleyko.  

Whitmore-Bolles is not the only school to have concerns about a staffer who later tested positive for the virus. 

Oakland County officials confirmed Friday that a Washtenaw County individual who recently tested positive for the virus is a teacher at Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills. The school sent out an email to parents about the case and cancelled classes Friday.