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FAMU DRS closes school, switches to virtual learning after positive COVID-19 tests

School to tentatively reopen on Oct. 5
Posted at 6:25 PM, Sep 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-21 18:25:13-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — FAMU DRS is now completely virtual after two employees, including one teacher, tested positive for COVID-19.

The school superintendent, Micheal Johnson said the decision to close schools was to ensure the infection didn't spread.

Johnson says cleaning crews have been working throughout the campus to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus since 9 a.m. Monday morning.

The school says all students have laptops through their one-to-one initiative that began this summer, so the transition was not hard.

One issue they are looking to address is the need for food assistance. That will start Wednesday for breakfast and lunch.

They say this decision to move to digital came after calls of concern.

"Some of our teachers began getting notification that they needed to quarantine for the next 14-days," said Johnson. "And that was almost Saturday at noon when I began receiving that information."

The temporary shut down will also impact sports, specifically football and volleyball. They will be suspended for two weeks.

Johnson says the school will be back open again tentatively on October 5.

Until then no one is allowed on the campus and Johnson says more information about food assistance will come from the school at a later date.