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Osceola schools close for the day after possible coronavirus exposure​

Health officials say the Pierce County resident who was confirmed to have the virus attended an event Saturday at Osceola High Schools.

OSCEOLA, Wis. — The home of the Chieftains in Osceola, Wisconsin was quiet Tuesday.

There were school closed signs on the doors and inside crews were busy cleaning. That is now the talk of the town.

"Everybody is talking about it," said Melissa Latoruneau who has a daughter who goes to Osceola High. "Hopefully it doesn't spread."

Tony Perry's son is in Kindergarten.

"Nothing hits close to home until it's in your school," he said.

All Osceola Schools closed Tuesday because health officials say a Pierce County resident confirmed to have the coronavirus attended a Destination Imagination event Saturday at Osceola High School.

Officials say classes and activities will resume on Wednesday.

RELATED: Osceola, WI school district cancels Tuesday classes citing potential coronavirus exposure

It's unclear how many people were there.

"Do know that there were a number of school districts who had attendees at that event," said Traci DeSalvo with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Health officials said as a precaution, they along with the school district decided it was best to close for cleaning to make the school as safe as possible for students.

Health officials say the people who attended the event Saturday are considered low-risk, but should be self-monitoring.

"We're still getting a handle on who exactly was attending this event," said AZ Snyder, Public Health Director in Pierce County. "We're working with each of the school districts that attended this event. It was several school districts that were at the event on Saturday. We're working with each local public health department to follow up with their schools and get line lists of the people who attended this event. Each local health department is following up with residents of their community who attended this event."

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Health officials say if it is determined anyone at the event is considered medium risk, they will be contacted.

Tony says his family will continue to monitor the situation.

"We'll just err on the side of caution," said Perry. "If we have to pull him out of school for a week we'll do that."

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