WELLSBURG -- While a Brooke Middle School pupil has tested positive for COVID-19, cases in the county have remained generally low, and school officials anticipate students will report for four days of in-person instruction on Nov. 2.
Stephanie Zimmer, spokesperson for Brooke County Schools, said upon discovery of the pupil, public health officials were contacted and it was determined the child contracted the virus over the weekend and didn't have contact with other students or school staff then.
"With the information received, contact tracing was conducted and the student and anyone in contact with the student are in quarantine," she said.
Zimmer added, "Based on the guidance received, Brooke Middle School will continue to operate as normal on the hybrid schedule."
Since public health officials began tracking the virus, a Brooke County student athlete tested positive for it in July and a staff member working with the football program tested positive in August. Each case resulted in all or some athletic activities being postponed.
School officials recently announced plans, pending the pandemic's current local status, for all students to report for in-person instruction on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays they will engage in virtual learning while staff clean and disinfect the schools.
At this time roughly half of each school's enrollment is reporting on two days of each week, with the other three days reserved for virtual instruction from home.
Parents and guardians also were given the option of enrolling their children in a separate online educational program throughout the week.
Superintendent Jeffrey Crook noted they will have the option of returning them to in-person instruction at this time because it comes near the end of the first nine week grading period.
"We're hoping to get some more kids back," he said, adding he personally feels in-person instruction if more effective.
But Crook added he understands parents being cautious about the health of their children and other family members.
Parents and guardians may change their students' status from face-to-face or virtual by contacting their child's school.
The following are contact numbers for the schools: Brooke High School, (304) 527-1410; Brooke Middle School, (304) 737-3800; Brooke Primary North (formerly Hooverson Heights Primary), 527-0870; Brooke Primary South (formerly Wellsburg Primary), 737-0133; Brooke Intermediate North (formerly Jefferson Primary), 527-2250; and Brooke Intermediate South (formerly Franklin Primary), 737-1760.
Brooke County Health Administrator Mike Bolen said of several local COVID-19 cases reported in recent weeks, most have been adults.
"The cases we're getting aren't necessarily school-related," he said, noting the two most recent cases involved women in their 40s and 60s.
Bolen said the cases have involved people of various ages, with only a few linked to others.
He confirmed the county has nine active cases, including a person who has been hospitalized; as well as two recent recoveries.
Since March, the Brooke County Health Department has reported 128 local cases, including a 93-year-old woman who died after testing positive for the virus in July.
Bolen said everyone should continue to take precautions to prevent spread of the virus.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)