Lake County school districts say staff members linked to coronavirus

Three school districts in Lake County have reported that staff members either tested positive or are suspected of having the coronavirus.

In Vernon Hills-based Hawthorn District 73, parents, students and staff have been notified that an Elementary North staff member tested positive for the virus on Saturday. The person attended school the week of March 9 and developed symptoms the week of March 16, after statewide school closures began.

In Libertyville District 70, a staff member from Highland Middle School was "presumed positive" for COVID-19 on Saturday but was not tested due to the lack of available testing kits and instructed by health authorities to stay home and monitor symptoms.

The staff member reported symptoms beginning March 17.

A Libertyville High School employee tested positive for the virus Friday, Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 officials said in a statement sent to the media Monday. The worker is the second at Libertyville High to test positive for the virus.

The districts say federal privacy laws prevent them from sharing the name of the person or providing any other information. Visit https://www.lakecountyil.gov/ for general information and updates.