Mars Area High School is closed through Friday.

The district was notified earlier this week of five positive COVID-19 cases.

Although the total number of positive cases is one less than the threshold that would require the school to close for three days, district officials decided to preemptively close the high school.

Taken into consideration was the likelihood of another case that would require a closure and a current shortage of high school staff that is related to this week's COVID-19 vaccinations.

In accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, Mars Area School District is required to close the high school for a minimum of three days while the building undergoes a deep cleaning.

The health department is in the process of conducting contact tracing and will notify any individual who may have been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) with the students who tested positive for COVID-19.

Any such individuals will be required to quarantine at home for a minimum of 14 days.

Any students who are determined to be close contacts will receive a separate communication from the school, noting the specific dates during which they must quarantine as well as the date they may return to traditional instruction.

In the meantime, students will transition to livestream interactive learning.

The district will continue to offer free meals for students and anyone in a student's household who is under age 18.

Traditional instruction will resume Monday, pending a review of case numbers.