Broward County Public Schools confirms first positive case of coronavirus

Broward County Public Schools has announced its first positive case of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

According to an emailed release, the school district said it learned from the Florida Department of Health on Saturday morning that an “individual” at Walter C. Young Middle School in Pembroke Pines tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The release said the individual was last present at the school on March 12.

The school district declined to provide additional information. The release urged that individuals who develop fever, cough or shortness of breath should contact their healthcare provider.

Superintendent Robert Runcie visited the school on Friday, speaking to students and families as the district was distributing computers to students for remote learning. According to the school’s website, about 1,100 students attend the A-rated school.

Broward County Public Schools, the sixth-largest school district in the country, is currently on spring break until March 30, when all public schools in Florida will begin remote online instruction until at least April 15.

Broward is home to the first coronavirus outbreak in South Florida. The county current leads the state in positive cases. As of Saturday afternoon, Broward has 151 positive cases and three deaths.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 4:40 PM.