A Jefferson student athlete has tested positive for COVID-19, Principal Dr. Ann Bonitatibus announced on Fri., Aug. 27. An email sent to parents and staff informed them that contact tracing is being carried out by the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), but unless a parent or student receives a phone call from the Health Department, they have not been identified as a close contact.

A close contact is any person who was within six feet of the COVID-positive individual for more than 15 minutes unless the person consistently wore a mask and maintained at least three feet of social distancing.

The initial email sent by Bonitatibus caused some confusion in the Jefferson community, but was clarified in a follow-up email minutes later. As of Aug. 27, there is no indication of a school-wide transition to virtual learning. The FCHD will provide instructions to close contacts, including possible testing and quarantine.