A positive COVID-19 test result has been confirmed at the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School in Butler.

Also reported in the county were two positive COVID-19 tests in the Karns City Area School District, one at the high school and one at Chicora Elementary School.

A letter was sent from Regina Hiler, director of the vo-tech, to all students at the school who were in close contact with the individual who tested positive.

In the letter, Hiler said “close contact” is defined as having spent at least 15 minutes within 6 feet of an infectious person or who was directly exposed to a cough, sneeze or other respiratory secretion.

Hiler did not answer questions regarding how many students were determined to be in close contact with the individual or whether the individual was a student, staff member or teacher.

She also did not say which school districts the vo-tech students were from who were in close contact with the person who tested positive.

The letter said “anyone who has been in close contact with a person who is confirmed to have COVID-19 (should) quarantine for 14 days. In this case, the 14th day is Oct. 8, which means that your son/daughter's start date back to school will be Oct. 9.”

While the letter mentioned that students who received the letter also were notified of the positive case through the school's messenger system, it did not say when, so the reasoning for the dates when students in close contact are to return to school is unclear.

Hiler listed seven steps families receiving the letters should take, including checking for illness, contacting the state Department of Health and the student's doctor if symptoms develop, directing the students to wear a mask and social distance when outside of the home, and to cooperate with contact tracing if the family is contacted by the state Department of Health.

The vo-tech educates students in vocational programs from the Butler Area, South Butler County, Seneca Valley, Mars Area, Karns City Area, Slippery Rock Area and Moniteau school districts.

On Monday, the Karns City Area School District only reported that the district is working with the state Department of Health to conduct contact tracing and to make appropriate decisions.

On Friday, the district announced it was notified that day that a high school student tested positive for the virus. The student was last in the building Sept. 24, according to the district's announcement Friday.

It is unclear if the report Monday includes the same high school student or an additional student.