Four students who attended Blair High School's prom Saturday have tested positive for COVID-19, according to letters sent to parents from Supt. Randy Gilson.
Gilson provided those letters to the Enterprise.
“I am sorry for the increased COVID-19 positive cases related to prom activities,” he said. “I take responsibility for approving to host prom.”
BHS hosted prom Saturday at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha. Post-prom was hosted at the school.
On Monday, Gilson informed parents two seniors tested positive — one attended prom, the other did not. Contact tracing conducted with Three Rivers Public Health Department found that two other students were in close contact without a mask with the student before and after prom activities.
The health department is requiring the students who tested positive and those in close contact to quarantine.
On Tuesday, Gilson told parents a junior and freshman also tested positive for COVID-19. They had contracted the virus from a family member. One of the students had also attended prom.
Contact tracing found that six high school students who are lunch partners will be required to quarantine along with the two students who tested positive.
On Wednesday, Gilson sent another letter, informing parents another senior had tested positive. No other students had to quarantine.
A fourth student — a junior — was confirmed positive, which they contracted before, during or after prom. A senior had also tested positive, but had not attended prom.
Gilson said a paraprofessional at North Primary School, a middle school student and a preschool student have also tested positive.
“BCS will remain transparent with students, teachers and parents when students or staff test positive with COVID-19 or are a close contact,” Gilson said in the letters. “I will be communicating each positive COVID-19 case with the Three Rivers Health Department and with parents.”
BCS is also notifying those who are a close contact with a phone call and an email letting them know they have had a high exposure to a person who is confirmed COVID-19 positive.
