RICHMOND, Va. -- A Richmond Public Schools employee has died after contracting COVID-19, Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras wrote in an email to the school community.
"One of our transportation team members who contracted COVID-19 earlier this year has passed away," he wrote. "Please keep this individual's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers."
Neither the employee's name, nor additional information about the employee's health prior to the death was released.
Kamras went on to encourage staff, students, and their families to remain vigilant against the virus.
"Please wear your mask, wash your hands, stay six feet apart, and avoid large gatherings of any kind – for your own health and for that of our community," he wrote.
Earlier this week, Richmond Health Director Dr. Danny Avula reported Richmond's COVID trend was beginning to tick upwards after weeks of a downward trend.
Two notable things contributed to the increase, he said. One was a Richmond nursing home had experienced an outbreak with more than 30 COVID-19 cases and the department is investigating an outbreak that that stemmed from a wedding.
"So residents from across the region, all congregated at this wedding and with multiple cases that we continue to work up out of that incident," said Avula.
Avula called the outbreak a reminder to not let your guard down as much as you want to resume normal activities.
"Anytime people are around each other, the virus can spread. If you choose to go to events like this, do your homework, see how much of that can be pushed outside. See how safe you can be to ensure that people are wearing masks and maintaining distance," said Avula.
