DOTHAN, Ala. – Covenant Preschool and Childcare in Dothan will be closed for two weeks after an infant in the daycare program and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
A letter posted Sunday on the Covenant United Methodist Church’s website outlined the decision to close the facility.
“The choice to close our daycare for two weeks is not one we make lightly, but it is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone,” the letter stated.
The infant tested positive for the coronavirus illness last Thursday. The child was not showing symptoms and had not been at the daycare since Wednesday, June 24. Parents of children enrolled in the program were notified along with staff that had been in contact with the child.
The daycare program was closed Friday and a professional cleaning company was hired to disinfect the building. The church also canceled childcare for Sunday morning services as there is an overlap in rooms used for both programs, according to the letters.
Daycare staff members were also tested, although none of them were showing symptoms. One of the tests returned positive on Sunday afternoon, leading to the decision to close the daycare facility for two weeks. There will be no childcare charges for the next two weeks.
Covenant had been following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as those from state and local officials, including increased hygiene and sanitation measures. Staff and children were screened upon arrival for symptoms and had temperatures taken. Parents do not enter the facility, and staff members wear protective face coverings.
