The Sedona-Oak Creek School District sent a letter via email to the Sedona Red Rock High School community on Sunday, Nov. 15, with the news that a staff member at SRRHS reported a positive COVID-19 test on Saturday, Nov. 14.

“We recently became aware that a staff member in our school tested positive for COVID-19,” SOCSD Assistant Superintendent Deana DeWitt wrote in the letter. “While we are unable to identify the individual due to the confidential nature of the medical information, we can share that the staff member was last on campus on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.”

This came just two days after a second SRRHS student reported he was COVID-19 positive. The first student reported a positive case on Oct. 23.

Read the letter in full here: SRR COVID Communication 111520

Despite three COVID-19 cases at SRRHS in the last three weeks, DeWitt wrote in the Nov. 14 letter that the Yavapai County Community Health Services Department has still “determined that our facilities are not required to be closed at this time.”

The infected persons and anyone within close contact with them [within six feet for at least 15 minutes] need to quarantine for at least two weeks. Those who are deemed within close contact will be contacted by YCCHS.

“There is nothing more important to us than the safety and health of our students, our staff, and their families,” DeWitt wrote in the body of the email. “We are working directly with the county health department to address any situation regarding COVID-19 as it relates to SOCUSD.”

“With cases increasing in our state and local communities, it is important to remember that those who test positive must self-isolate for the time outlined by our local health department,” she continued. “Anyone who is identified as having close contact with a positive individual will be notified directly and receive guidance.  Close contacts must quarantine for at least 14 days to prevent potential spread of the virus. 

“We truly appreciate your continued efforts to adhere to COVID-19 mitigation protocols.  We all need to work together to ensure the health and safety of our learning community.”