East Grand Rapids High School Goes Virtual After COVID Outbreak

East Grand Rapids High School students will be learning remotely due to what Kent County Health Department is calling a "substantial" COVID-19 outbreak.

According to Wood TV 8, the school's first case of COVID-19 was confirmed about a week ago. The school shared on its website that as of Friday afternoon, there were 24 confirmed cases.

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At this time, the confirmed cases are students; no staff are reported as having tested positive.

Many, but not all, of students who have tested positive are on the boys varsity basketball team, Wood TV 8 reports. The next four games have been postponed.

According to Fox 17, all other extracurricular activies will contine as planned.

East Grand Rapids High School classes will be virtual through at least Tuesday, March 9.

Kent County Health Department Community Wellness Division Director Joann Hoganson tells Wood TV 8,

This is a very substantial outbreak. (This many) positives in this short period of time is not something we see frequently... We are tracking to see what kinds of contract they have either in school or outside of the school that caused this outbreak.

Another area school, Wayland Union High School also recently announced an increase in COVID-19 cases. Classes will be virtual for at least two weeks.

The latest information on reported COVID-19 cases in Michigan can be found here.