Bush Elementary Student Tests Positive For COVID-19, Contact Tracing Now Underway

JAMESTOWN – A student at Jamestown’s Bush Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Jamestown Public School District says the student last attended school on Monday.

The School says they are working closely with the Chautauqua County Health Department to complete contact tracing so that any close contacts are notified and so that appropriate steps will be taken.

The district would like parents to know that a confirmed case doesn’t mean that other children have been exposed to the student who has tested positive.

Other students who may have been in close contact, as defined by the Chautauqua County Department of Health, will be contacted directly by the New York Department of Health contact tracers with pertinent information and next steps.

“We want to remind our families, students and staff to keep our students and staff safe by wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing and continuing frequent hand washing whether at school or in the community,” said JPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker. “As a parent, if you see your child exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, please keep your child home and contact his or her health provider for a diagnosis. We appreciate our community’s efforts to work together to keep our school community safe and we will continue to keep our JPS community updated on any new information regarding the health and safety of our students and staff.”

If your child has any symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, significant diarrhea, sore throat or a fever greater than 100 F or 37.8 C) officials say contact your health care provider and notify your child’s school health office.

Those with questions are asked to contact a school nurse or email JPS Coordinator of Health Services, Jill Muntz at jill.a.muntz@jpsny.org or call her at 716-483-4376.