A student in the St. Clair County school system, just east of Birmingham, has tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, school officials said Tuesday.

Superintendent Mike Howard said in a letter sent to parents:

“Today, we were contacted by a parent of one of our students that has a confirmed case of COVID-19. While it is unknown when this student contracted the virus, this family was asked by the ADPH to contact everyone that the student has had contact with over the last two weeks."

“Therefore, out of our responsibility to you and your family, we are sending this notification to inform you that students attending Virtual Preparatory Academy and St. Clair County High School may have been exposed to COVID-19 through contact with this student.”

The letter did not say the age or grade of the student.

Alabama, as of Tuesday afternoon, had 39 positive cases. Most are in Jefferson County.

On Monday, Shelby County schools reported a student had tested positive for COVID-19 and sent a similar note to parents. A Birmingham City Schools employee has also tested positive.

“Please continue social distancing by remaining at home with your family unless it is for work or obtaining essential items like food and medicine. As we look ahead to the date when students will resume attending classes in our schools, we have already begun the process of disinfecting them in preparation for returning on April 6,” Howard said.

Most Alabama public schools are closed and the last few systems are ordered to close as of Wednesday.

The letter told parents to call their doctors and separate themselves from other family members if they experience the following symptoms:

fever

cough

body aches

shortness of breath

Click here for the latest updates on coronavirus in Alabama.