An Albert Lea Area Schools employee has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement on the school district’s website.

The person likely contracted it while traveling over spring break to an area where the virus has been more prevalent, said Superintendent Mike Funk. Upon the onset of flu-like symptoms, the individual was advised by a medical provider not to return to work.

The person, whose name has not been released, has not been in a school district building since before spring break.

Funk said he could not identify which building the employee worked at but noted that the person does not live in Freeborn County. He said the case was confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Health, and the district was notified Friday afternoon.

The district is doing a deep clean of the individual’s work area, the statement said.

The Minnesota Department of Health earlier on Friday announced the state’s confirmed cases had increased to 115, an increase of 26 since Thursday.

Freeborn County Public Health Director Sue Yost encouraged people to take the following precautions to help slow the spread:

• Avoid close contact with people
• Wash your hand often
• Stay home if you are sick
• Cover your cough and sneeze
• Wear a face mask around others if you are sick
• Clean and disinfect surfaces often

Yost said if someone is in a high-risk category and needs food or supplies, they should call local grocery stores or order online for home deliveries.

If people feel they have been in contact with an infected person, have symptoms and are high-risk, they should call the Mayo Clinic Health System nurse triage line at 507-668-2121 during regular business hours and 507-373-2384 after hours.

Check back to the Tribune for more information as this story unfolds.