School Immediately Dismissed After Fulton County Staff Confirms COVID-19

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Superintendent Mike Looney

A teacher with the fourth-largest school system in the state has tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Monday.

The person taught at Bear Creek Middle School and Woodland Middle School and all schools will be closed Tuesday, March 10, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney said.

The teacher began feeling ill at work Friday, called 911 and was taken to a local hospital, Looney said during a press conference Monday afternoon.

“I can say with certainty that in this process, this employee had a lot of contact with students that he or she serves and also with additional staff members,” Looney said.

Gov. Brian Kemp said the decision to close schools is up to the county, but urged school districts to work with state officials for guidance.

“However, we strongly encourage any district or school considering closure to first contact the Department of Public Health for guidance since closures have a significant impact on student learning, employment, and quality of life in local communities," Kemp said.

The governor is also holding a press conference at 4:45 p.m. to update the state on coronavirus. GPB will stream that press conference live here.