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By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

A parent of a Calera High School student has reported to Shelby County Schools that the student likely has COVID-19, pending confirmation of the test results by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

In a letter sent to Calera families and provided by SCS on Tuesday, March 17, SCS Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks said it is unknown when the student contracted the virus, and the family is self-isolating as they await results from the ADPH.

“Therefore, out of our responsibility to you and your family, we are sending this notification to inform you that students attending Calera High School may have been exposed to COVID-19 through contact with this student,” Brooks wrote. “This student has a sibling who attends Calera Middle School. Out of an abundance of caution for the entire community, we are notifying all Calera schools of possible exposure to COVID-19.”

The letter advised anyone who develops symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches and shortness of breath to call their doctor, nearest urgent care or the ADPH Coronavirus Hotline at 1-888-264-2256 for guidance.

Those who have a confirmed case of COVID-19 should email tdaly@shelbyed.org or call (205) 682-6552 and leave a message.

“As we look ahead to the date when students will resume attending classes at the four Calera community schools, we have already begun the process of contracting with a professional cleaning company to have each of those schools cleaned and disinfected before students return back to school on April 6,” Brooks wrote.

For more information on COVID-19 and safety precautions visit Cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html or the Alabama Department of Health at Alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/2019-coronavirus.html.