Helen Walton Enrichment Center has a second positive COVID-19 case

The Helen Walton Enrichment Center in Bentonville reports a second positive case among its staff. This comes after another positive case the childcare center had last month.

“Our hearts go out to all who have been infected by COVID-19 and those whose lives have been disrupted by this pandemic. We are particularly concerned about the significant impacts this public health crisis is having on our nation’s child care and early learning programs, including educators, families, and children. As we navigate this new normal, we are committed to transparency and sharing best practices to keep our children and families safe,” the center posted in a email on Wednesday, (July 15).

Center staff said this second case of COVID-19 occurred despite the strict prevention protocols the center had in place after the two-week closure and deep cleaning which took place in June after the first case was identified.

This time the protocol requires two classrooms to close to allow impacted staff and children to quarantine for 14 days. The classrooms will undergo a comprehensive deep clean and sanitation, along with the ongoing sanitation efforts of the entire center. The center said this protocol was put into place after consulting with Arkansas Department of Health and reviewing Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

The campus will remain open, with the exception of these two rooms.

“We will continue with due diligence to reduce exposure by sanitizing the campus, materials, daily health screenings, use of masks by teachers and staff, along with outside drop off and pick up to minimize the number of people inside the building,” the email said.

The childcare center said the protocol for operations continues to evolve around managing the COVID-19 threat. The center seeks to remain open so parents can report to work in those jobs deemed critical for the region’s response to this pandemic.