Middle school in Richland County closed because of COVID-19 concerns, officials say
A middle school in Columbia was closed Thursday because of COVID-19 concerns.
Crayton Middle School was shut down after an employee came in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, Principal Angela Burns said in a letter posted on the school’s website. The Richland One school is on Clemson Avenue in Forest Acres, less than a mile from the intersection of Trenholm Road and Forest Drive.
After learning the employee had contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, the middle school was shut down for cleaning and disinfecting, Burns said. There was no word on the extent of the cleaning.
The employee learned late Wednesday about the possible exposure and had not been tested as of Thursday morning, Richland One spokeswoman Karen York told The State.
York said she is not aware of anyone at Crayton Middle testing positive for the coronavirus.
Regular classes have not started, but the closure will affect students and teachers. The added LEAP instructional day was canceled, in addition to all athletic practices. Also, there will be no pick up for laptop computers, according to the letter.
Crayton Middle will be open on Friday, according to the school’s website. Laptop pickup and athletic activities will resume, and students who were scheduled to attend Thursday’s LEAP day can join those already participating Friday.
Richland One has previously closed other schools and buildings as a precaution after learning about COVID-19 exposures.
On Aug. 13, the Stevenson Administration Building was closed for cleaning and disinfecting after an employee had been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, York said. The employee has since tested negative, according to York.
On Aug. 19, Burton-Pack Elementary School also was closed for cleaning and disinfecting after an employee began exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms while at school, York said. The employee has since tested positive, according to York.
After a Hand Middle School employee tested positive for COVID-19, three rooms, but not the whole school, were cleaned and disinfected on Aug. 24, York said.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 7:59 AM.
CORRECTION: The original version of this story described a letter from the principal posted on the middle school’s website as a news release. The State regrets the error.
