Montezuma-Cortez schools announced late Tuesday night that more than 700 students have been quarantined and five have been hospitalized amid a surge of COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
The RE-1 district reported 51 positive cases of COVID-19 among staff and students.
Of the 707 students quarantined from Oct. 12 through Tuesday, 30 tested positive for the coronavirus. Among school staff, 21 have tested positive, two have been hospitalized, 12 remain ill, and 13 are quarantined.
The district posted the announcement on Facebook shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday, about six hours after announcing that it would close its main schools Wednesday through Nov. 5.
Only the charter schools remain open.
The district’s first announcement, issued early Tuesday evening, did not say why schools were closing. Its second announcement, posted late Tuesday night, presented the COVID-19 update and noted that Assistant Superintendent Lis Richard and District Health Director Jaclyn Hall had recommended the closures.
The second release also included a partial breakdown that gave additional insight into COVID-19’s spread across the district, and the groups most directly affected.
- Montezuma-Cortez volleyball: 22 quarantined.
- Lewis-Arriola Elementary School fifth grade: 25 quarantined.
- Montezuma-Cortez High School life skills class: 13 students and four staff quarantined.
- Manaugh Elementary School first grade: 19 quarantined.
- Mesa Elementary School interventionist’s students: 25 quarantined.
Overall, a total of 51 high school and 17 middle school students have been quarantined, the district said.
Previously, Kemper Elementary School closed Oct. 6 and moved to online instruction through Oct. 22.
Students are slated to return to school Nov. 8.
In a letter issued Wednesday morning, Superintendent Risha VanderWey wrote: “Although the district recognizes the childcare impact, the educational impact, the emotional impact and parental work stress. ... The district has no choice but to close due to the tremendous increase of the Coronavirus-19 and its impact to our current workforce.”
Student meals are available for pickup at Kemper Elementary School daily from 11:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., the district announced Wednesday afternoon. Parents may call 970-565-3737 to sign up.
The Piñon Project is hosting activities for fifth through 12th graders from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 210 E. Main St. to help families with the closures. Transportation will not be provided.
This article will be updated as information becomes available.
