Alabama Senior Attended Graduation, Tests Positive for Virus

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama high school student who attended a graduation ceremony last week has tested positive for the new coronavirus, a school district announced Wednesday.

The student was awaiting test results when they attended Austin High School's ceremony May 21 in Decatur, school officials said.

A member of the student's family had previously tested positive, Al.com quoted Decatur City Schools Deputy Superintendent Dwight Satterfield as saying. The district had 16 nurses checking students’ temperatures and asking them whether any family members tested positive or had symptoms, but the student and their family did not disclose that information, he added.

Graduates were kept 6 feet (2 meters) apart and families were also asked to keep 6 feet (2 meters) between other groups, according to the district. Satterfield said that despite the guidelines, some students still gathered and hugged each other, though he defended the district's decision to host the ceremony.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alabama/articles/2020-05-28/alabama-senior-attended-graduation-tests-positive-for-virus