On Monday, the staff and parents of Lakeland High School received an email concerning a confirmed COVID-19 case within the building.

To protect the privacy of the person involved, no names have been released, but the school is using contact tracing to minimize the effects while the person is in quarantine.

Those in close contact with that individual will be contacted by the school nurse or the Panhandle Health Department.

Students and staff are asked to stay home if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, or if they have any symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms include fever, cough, headache, body aches, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

When asked about the recent case, Principal Trent Derrick stated that, “We are following all the guidelines given to us by the Panhandle Health District”.

The case is being closely monitored, if more cases emerge the district might put in more strict protocols.

“It’s not one case, it would have to be a rise of cases to close school”, replied Mr. Derrick after being asked about how the school and protocols would be affected.

Students are strongly advised to wear a mask when unable to social distance and to stay home if feeling sick.