Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: SUSD’s Bulldog Boulevard Preschool and Childcare Center has suspended operations until Sept. 8 due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19. The preschool is located at the Safford High School campus.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The Safford Unified School District recently advised it would return to in-person learning Sept. 2 with a hybrid AB system, however, its Bulldog Boulevard Preschool and Childcare Center will have to wait an additional week.
The preschool, which normally is in operation from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday on the days Safford High School is in session, suspended its operations after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. It is expected to resume operations Sept. 8. The school caters to potty-trained children ages 3 – 5.
The Dan Hinton Accommodation School and Brighter Day Preschool reverted back to distance learning Aug. 18 after one of its staff members tested positive for COVID-19 as well. The school is expected to return to in-person instruction on Sept. 8.
According to the Graham County Department of Health and Human Services, a total of 3,754 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Graham County since the start of the pandemic last March with 714 positive tests.
The health department lists 391 recovered cases, 301 active cases, and 22 deaths. It has had 45 positive tests this week so far with just one more day to go in the week.
Greenlee County hasn’t had a positive COVID-19 test since Aug. 6 and as of Friday had tested 1,046 people with 58 positives. Out of those, 53 patients have recovered, two have died, and three are still considered active cases. Greenlee County currently has 21 tests pending but has achieved a zero percent positivity rating on the Arizona Department of Health Services metrics datasheet, allowing all of its previously shuttered businesses to reopen.
