State reports 4 coronavirus outbreaks linked to schools in DeKalb County

Coronavirus outbreaks linked to sports and classrooms in two DeKalb County school districts were recently reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Youth outbreaks are reported weekly by the state, and in situations where multiple cases are reportedly linked to the same environment or shared experiences where three or more positive cases are reported within a 14-day period.

Herman E. Drummer Elementary School in Sandwich reported an outbreak on Jan. 19 of fewer than five students linked to a classroom.

Lynn G. Haskin Elementary School in Sandwich reported an outbreak on Jan. 19 of eight staff and students linked to a classroom.

Indian Creek High School reported two separate outbreaks on Jan. 20, both related to sports. One outbreak affected five students and the other affected six students.

An outbreak is identified by the local health department to have three or more COVID-19 cases that may have a shared exposure at a shared youth-related location and are from different households. Outbreak statistics do not include secondary cases occurring in a household member who has not been at the same outbreak location.

COVID-19 case and quarantine data released by local schools is provisional, with most recent statistics varying by district. Data is updated once a week.