Three Orcas students test positive for COVID-19; follow-up test confirms

May 14, 2021 1:30 am
photo illustraiton by Mandi Johnson

Submitted by Orcas Island School District Superintendent Eric Webb.

I want to take a moment to update you on the current COVID-19 situation that I first wrote you about last Friday, May 14. We received news today that we do in fact have three confirmed positive tests. Although we were hoping for the best, the results were no surprise as the individuals who tested positive are direct familial contacts.

Cindy, Kyle, and I have been in constant contact with the San Juan County since Friday, and are in communication with them every few hours. Please find the most current information below:

  • The district has three confirmed cases of COVID-19.
  • At this time the incident is limited to a single family.
  • Contact tracing is underway for district students and staff members.
  • Those identified as close contacts of the positive individuals will be contacted San Juan County. If you are not contacted by the county in the next day or two, you are not considered a close contact.

On Saturday San Juan County conducted a vaccine clinic for adults and young people ages 12-17 at the Orcas Center at which time they provided 145 individuals with the first dose of the Phizer vaccine. Another first-dose Phizer clinic for adults and youth ages 12-17 is scheduled for Friday, May 21 from 3pm-6:15pm. More information can be found, here.

OISD will be offering our weekly asymptomatic testing session for students and staff on Wednesday, May 19 in the cafeteria from 3:30-5:30 p.m. No appointment is needed. Individuals with COVID symptoms should not attend the Wednesday testing clinics and are advised to contact OISD Nurse, Cindy Sapp at 360-376-1593 or csapp@orcas.k12.wa.us to schedule an individual testing appointment.

A month of sacrifices in our personal lives and travel plans, as well as maintaining our household bubble will be necessary to avoid additional cases before the end of the school year. Our community has kept this virus at bay over the past months, and I have no doubt that we are up to the task to protect our island community as we enter into the summer months!

San Juan County will be offering the Pfizer vaccine on Orcas Island on Friday, May 21, from 10:30 a.m.- 2:45 p.m. at the Orcas Center for students ages 12 through 17. More information can be found on the San Juan County COVID website, at https://www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info.

Our hearts go out to this family impacted by COVID-19.