5 ISL Students Test Positive for COVID-19, 58 in Quarantine

The International School of Luxembourg (ISL) has confirmed that five primary and secondary students have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the new academic year on Wednesday 26 August 2020.

The infected students are currently in isolation and have been described as asymptomatic and feeling well. The ISL assured that it immediately informed staff and students who had been in close contact with these students. Both the school and the Directorate of Health also contacted the families concerned.

To date, two different grades have been impacted. From one grade, 58 students were sent home on Friday 28 August. They can be tested on day five and are allowed to come back to school provided that test results are negative. In case the test results are positive, instructions of the Directorate of Health will apply. From the second grade, one classroom was sent home for a day. Students were allowed to come back to school the following day, after consulting with the Directorate of Health.

In its roadmap for the school year 2020-2021, the ISL anticipates three scenarios with corresponding learning plans: a face-to face learning model; rotated classes / connected virtual learning model; and a virtual learning model. Classes impacted by identified cases will apply blended learning methods, which consist of a combination of virtual learning for students working from home and physical learning for students at school. 

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, the ISL confirmed that one staff member had tested positive before school started (with no symptoms and feeling well) and so did not return to school. The school added that it had strongly recommended all staff and students to be tested prior to the return to school. However, students may have been tested for other reasons, for instance following close contact with a positive case outside of school.