Add two more Wichita schools to list with coronavirus cases, for a total of six schools

Two more Wichita schools have had a positive COVID-19 case, bringing the total to six schools with cases a few weeks before school starts.

“Kensler Elementary and Pleasant Valley Middle School have had a positive case,” news and media relations manager Susan Arensman said in an email. “We are following district protocol with contact tracing and notifying those who are directly impacted.”

Friday’s news comes one day after Kansas’ largest school district announced cases at four schools: Cessna Elementary School, Curtis Middle School, North High School and Sowers Alternative High School.

The number of cases is unknown, said Terri Moses, the director of safety and environmental services for the Wichita school district.

The confirmed coronavirus cases come weeks before students start class.

The local school board pushed back the start of the school year because of the pandemic after the Kansas Board of Education rejected Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order that delayed the start of school statewide.

The first day of school for Wichita students is Sept. 8, but teachers started with in-service activities Aug. 5.

Case counts are not accurate at this point, which is why the district is not releasing any numbers, she said.

“We want to be very transparent and give you that information. ... That’s not something that we want to give out wrong,” Moses said.

School officials “absolutely” plan to release case counts in the future, she said.

Questions about case counts on Friday were not answered.

Contributing: Jason Tidd with The Eagle

This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 6:02 PM.