Liberal and Lamar school staff and students test positive

September 14, 2020

The Barton County Health Department (BCHD) announced this past week that several Liberal and Lamar students and staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

Two students at Liberal Elementary School tested positive and were last in school on September 4. They were not symptomatic at that time. One student at Lamar High School and two students at Lamar Middle School also tested positive. The high school student last attended class on September 9 and the middle school students last attended class on September 8. All three were asymptomatic while at school.

A Liberal High School student testing positive was last in school on September 8 and also was not symptomatic at that time. A student at Liberal Elementary has also tested positive. This student was last in school on September 9, when social distancing requirements were being followed in the classroom.

A staff member at Lamar West Elementary/Middle School tested positive and was last present at school on September 9.

The BCHD is working closely with the school districts to identify all close contacts. Those who are identified as close contacts will be contacted by health department representatives and advised on how to proceed.

To protect the privacy of individuals and their families, the health department will not release individually identifiable details. The individuals are quarantined and being monitored closely by the Barton County Health Department.