MARION — A fourth coronavirus case has been reported at Sippican School, and contact tracing has shown five close contacts within the district.

The Old Rochester Regional School District announced the case on Nov. 4 in a press release, which said the close contacts have all been quarantined. 

All schools will continue with their normal schedules on Nov. 5, including Sippican School in Marion, at the recommendation of the Marion Board of Health.

Board of Health Chair Edward Hoffer said in a Nov. 2 Board of Health meeting that if contact tracing led to the discovery of transmission within the district, the school would almost certainly be recommended to close. 

The case is the third positive covid test to come from Sippican School this week, with seven additional close contacts found relating to a case that was announced on Nov. 2. 

Cases in Marion have been on the rise, after the town avoided the state wise increase in covid cases that has accelerated in recent weeks. 

According to Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais at the Nov. 2 meeting, Marion had eight active positive cases before the Nov. 4 case was announced by the district. The town’s total case count was 31 at the time of the meeting. 

All schools will continue to be cleaned twice daily and as needed.