ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A Ferguson-Florissant bus driver who was helping the district deliver food to students over spring break died from COVID-19 Sunday, the district said in a message on its website.
According to the post, the driver was helping with food distribution at McCluer North during the school closure over spring break. The message also said another McCluer North staff member tested positive.
The message said neither employee had worked since spring break, more than 14 days ago.
"We were not aware of any employee experiencing symptoms while working," the message said.
The message also said another bus driver died after a "prolonged illness unrelated to the coronavirus," but that bus driver had coronavirus symptoms before dying.
As a result of this news, the district suspended its food distribution for the week of April 6-10, the message said.
"FFSD Administration is actively seeking other alternatives for food distribution and will provide an update to you and the community when that plan is in place," the message said.
Last week, the district announced a principal in the Ferguson-Florissant School District had tested positive for coronavirus.
On March 30, the school district confirmed that the principal at Duchesne Elementary School in Florissant tested positive after being exposed to someone else who had the virus. The contact came while the district was on spring break last week, school officials said.
Read the full statement below:
Yesterday we learned that one of our bus drivers passed away after a prolonged illness unrelated to the coronavirus; however, the driver had symptoms of the virus before passing away. That driver supported food distribution from Cross Keys prior to spring break. Last night we learned that a second bus driver who supported food distribution at McCluer North during school closure tested positive for coronavirus, and we learned the employee passed away today.
We also learned late last night that a McCluer North staff member tested positive for the virus. We were not aware of any employee experiencing symptoms while working.
None of the employees have worked since spring break and only learned of their positive results late yesterday. It has been more than 14 days since they worked, and anyone exposed would likely have experienced symptoms; however, we are honoring our commitment to clear communication and want you to be informed.
In light of these new developments, and in the best interest of our students, families, and employees' safety, we will be suspending food distribution for the week of April 6 through 10. FFSD Administration is actively seeking other alternatives for food distribution and will provide an update to you and the community when that plan is in place.
As of April 5, more than 40 people have died from COVID-19.