Western Wayne Schools has canceled Friday night’s Lincoln High School varsity football game against Union County after a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
Superintendent George Philhower shared a statement he sent to the district’s parents with Western Wayne News. He said WWS administration received information Friday that a staff member who was recently present at Lincoln Middle/High School tested positive for COVID-19.
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Upon hearing about the ill employee, school officials promptly contacted the Wayne County Health Department to seek guidance, Philhower said.
WWS administrators have developed plans for the safe reopening of schools, which include guidelines for what to do if the district has a positive case. Philhower said they also have done their best to implement as many preventative measures as possible to limit the number of students and staff who would need to quarantine if they had a positive case at school.
Philhower said families of the individuals who were exposed to the ill person are being contacted, and out of an abundance of caution, the football game is being canceled.
“At this time, we want to be mindful of not only the safety of our students and staff, but the school and community of Union County,” Philhower said. “Support of Eagle athletics is an integral part of our community, and we regret that our fans will not have the opportunity to watch our student athletes compete this evening.”
Philhower said if anything changes or if more information becomes available, school employees will communicate that as soon as possible.
Anyone who has questions about the statement can contact LMHS Principal Renée Lakes at rlakes@wwayne.k12.in.us or Philhower at
gphilhower@wwayne.k12.in.us.
“Thank you for your cooperation and support as we continue to navigate the challenges of Nurturing Powerful Learners during this unprecedented time,” Philhower said.
Data released by Indiana State Department of Health at noon Friday shows Wayne County now has 523 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, and Union County now has 60.
Henry County has 585 cases, with Fayette County at 306, Franklin County at 273 and Randolph County at 157.