Gasconade County R-2 School District’s Superintendent, Dr. Chuck Garner, issued a letter Monday afternoon on the first day of classes announcing a staff member at Owensville Elementary School has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus and has been asked to self-quarantine.

“The staff member has not shown and positive symptoms related to COVID-19, but due to exposure outside the school environment they have asked to quarantine. All students and staff who had direct contact with this staff member have been contacted by either the district or (county) health department.”

On Aug. 14, the Gasconade County R-2 School District sent out an email message to families saying a high school athlete had been tested for the virus and had last participated in activities two days prior.

The message noted the athlete “did not show any symptoms at that time.”

Any students and staff who had direct contact with the athlete had been contacted by school district or health officials and no further action was required but those who had been in contact were advised to monitor themselves for symptoms.

In that email message, it was noted two Owensville Elementary School students and a transportation staff member had also been asked to quarantine themselves due to a possible COVID-19 exposure. This exposure, too, was outside the school environment. None of the three had experienced any symptoms, according to Garner’s message, and monitoring was advised.