MARION — Two individuals in the Sippican School community have tested positive for covid, according to press releases issued this week.

The first individual who tested positive has not been in school since Oct. 7.

The second person has not been in school since Oct. 8, and received a positive result on Oct. 13.

Without specifying whether those who tested positive were students, teachers or other staff members, an Oct. 13 press release described the cases as being unrelated.

The first case was announced a day prior in a press release.

"At this time we believe that this second individual had no contact with the previously detected case, and there appears to be no connection or reason to believe they are connected," Marion Board of Health Chair Edward Hoffer said. "Mass DPH/ DESE guidelines state that if at least a 6-foot distance has been maintained at all times, then there has been no 'close contact,' and this was true for the second person identified. At this point, we see no reason to change the hybrid model being used at Sippican School, but will obviously be closely monitoring the situation."

Both are self-isolating in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol.

These are the first two positive cases in the district since classes began on Sept. 16.

Contact tracing is being conducted by the Marion Board of Health. So far, tracing has shown that those who tested positive did not have close contacts that directly impact the district.

All schools in the district returned to classes in normal fashion on Oct. 14, including Sippican School.

The district said that deep cleaning of all schools will continue to happen each night, and high touch surfaces will continue to be cleaned frequently throughout the day.

District Superintendent Michael Nelson and Marion officials urge all families and residents to remain vigilant about social distancing, wearing masks when in public and practicing proper hygiene.