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The John Carroll School in Bel Air is closed on a foggy Dec. 10 after 8 students fell ill during morning Mass Dec. 9. Some were taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The school ended Mass and dismissed students for the day out of an abundance of caution as emergency responders investigated the cause of the incident. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

John Carroll School closed for day after students sickened


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

The John Carroll School in Bel Air was closed to students Dec. 10 after an incident the day before that resulted in 18 students being transported to local hospitals after feeling ill at a school Mass.

The school issued the following statement Dec. 9:

A normally busy main hallway at The John Carroll School in Bel Air is quiet Dec. 10 following an incident during a Dec. 9 Mass where more than a dozen students fell ill. School was closed after Mass yesterday and today out of an abundance of caution. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“This morning, two students required medical attention during a school-wide Mass, and subsequently, a few other students began to feel ill. The School immediately made the decision to end Mass early, and as additional students reported not feeling well, to dismiss students early out of an abundance of caution.

“As a precautionary measure, the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department and School authorities evacuated the building to facilitate a full and thorough inspection. Members of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department, including a hazmat team, performed a comprehensive sweep of the building and found no environmental contaminants. Shortly before 1:00 p.m., we were given the all-clear to reenter the building.

“A total of 18 students are being evaluated at area hospitals after reporting mild symptoms. As always, the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains the School’s highest priority. We will continue to provide updates as we receive any additional information on this matter.”

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department said on its social media accounts that it responded to a report of a medical emergency at the school.

“Follow-up reports indicated that additional students were falling ill for unknown reasons. BAVFC and incoming mutual aid personnel immediately began evacuation, treatment and triage of those affected, and initiated an investigation into the cause,” the fire company said in its report. “Approximately 13 individuals were transported via 8 EMS units to area treatment facilities while several others self-transported; all non-life threatening. FD personnel thoroughly investigated the entirety of the school, including checking air quality using specialized metering devices. At no point did personnel detect or locate anything that could be attributed as a cause.“

The school notified parents that school was closed and all after-school activities were canceled so that it could be tested by hazmat teams for “environmental contaminants.”

“The health and safety of our Patriot community is the highest priority to the School. With this in mind, The John Carroll School will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 10, and all after-school and campus activities are cancelled,” the school said in an email to parents.

The school said it would take the following steps:

  • Bring in another hazmat team to conduct an additional sweep of the school and confirm there are no environmental contaminants.
  • Complete a thorough sanitization of the school.
  • Work with local health authorities to try to determine if there is a connection among the students affected today.

The school also said it would keep parents and students updated.

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

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