Parent Of West Lafayette High School Student Tests Negative For Coronavirus

West Lafayette School Superintendent Rocky Killion confirmed Friday the parent of a West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School student tested negative for coronavirus, one day after informing the school corporation about the possible diagnosis. 

“We just wanted -- out of precaution -- to let people know about a family who did the right thing and followed the CDC recommendations, and kept the child home while the father was tested, and we deeply appreciate that,” Killion said.

Killion urged other school families to follow that protocol if they were concerned about possible illness: communicate with the school district, and keep students at home. 

The Tippecanoe County Health Department declared a public health emergency Friday after the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Indiana was announced, and released a statement with a larger set of guidelines for county residents. Those include a recommendation for area schools to consider at-home learning options for students.

“If we get to the point where we are going to have to make those decisions, then we’ll put out the best plan that meets the most needs of our students and our staff,” Killion said. 

Killion also expressed concern about the spread of misinformation.

“For instance, when this situation came out about the Marion case, I was getting texts saying West Lafayette school’s case turned positive,” Killion said. “And it had nothing to do with us. And so what I hope is people will step back, will think about things before responding, will check facts, will make phone calls, make a critical inquiry so to speak, and then make an informed decision.”