MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Dozens of students from public and private schools in Miami-Dade County came in contact with a COVID-19 patient who was an employee of the Town of Bay Harbor Islands, Miami-Dade County Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said during a Friday news conference.
Carvalho said the decision to close schools on Monday came after he received a report from public health officials warning him of the risk. The COVID-19 patient was responsible for aftercare services, Carvalho said.
Carvalho said there was a delay in the reporting of the Bay Harbor Islands case and the links it had to students.
"For then the Department of Health to deny that confirmation, for then a retraction to take place, for then last night at 10:13 p.m. to learn that that person tested positive,” Carvalho said while expressing frustration about the potential risk for students.
Parents received notice the Bay Harbor Islands employee interacted with students at Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center.
The Florida Department of Health recorded the case of the Bay Harbor Islands employee as a Broward County case because of where she lives. It’s unclear if the children were in contact with the COVID-19 patient before or after the diagnosis.
The Florida Department of Education ordered all districts in Florida to close schools