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ALABASTER – Alabaster City Schools on Thursday, March 26, notified parents and employees that a Thompson High School student has tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have been informed that one of our students has a confirmed case of COVID-19,” read a statement from ACS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers. “Therefore, we wanted to inform you that the students and employees at Thompson High School may have been exposed to the virus. Given that development, we highly encourage you to monitor yourselves and your family for symptoms of COVID-19.”

The release went on to encourage THS employees and students to monitor themselves and family for fever, coughing and shortness of breath. If these symptoms develop, residents should contact their healthcare provider for guidance.

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent advises that those who develop emergency warning signs of COVID-19 should get medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs include:

-Trouble breathing
-Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
-New confusion or inability to arouse
-Bluish lips or face.

That list is not all inclusive. Residents should consult a medical provider regarding any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Others in the ACS community who have tested positive for COVID-19 are asked to notify the district by completing the survey at Acsboe.org/covid-19.

“We know that you may have questions regarding what this development means for you and your family,” the statement reads. “We encourage you to consult the CDC website for reliable answers to your questions.”

The CDC website has useful information on what residents can do to protect themselves and others, including:

-Practicing social distancing by remaining at home with your family unless it is for work or obtaining essential items like food and medicine.
-Practicing good hand washing and respiratory etiquette for coughs and sneezes.
-Avoiding touching nose, mouth and eyes.
-Isolating any family members that develop symptoms of COVID-19 from other members of the family.
ACS will continue to keep all stakeholders informed of updates as needed via the ACS website, mass communication messages and official ACS social media sites throughout the school closure situation.