2 Orange County high schools report COVID-19 cases among students and staff

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- Two Orange County high schools are reporting multiple COVID-19 cases among students and staff.

In the latest update, Woodbridge High in Irvine has 14 students confirmed with the virus, with at least one staff member testing positive.

In a statement, the Irvine Unified School District - which oversees Woodbridge - said the health and safety of students, staff and families is top priority.

The district also stated the increase in cases is reflective of trends in the community, and there is little to no person-to-person transmission in IUSD schools or other facilities.

Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana reports 12 students have tested positive for coronavirus, along with four staff members who have become infected.

The school released this statement to ABC7: "Recently, a media report identified Mater Dei High School as having students and staff infected with COVID-19. While Mater Dei acknowledges these cases and wishes for the safe and speedy recovery of those people, we would like to remind the campus community that we strictly follow all health and safety guidelines required by the California Department of Public Health and Orange County Health Care Agency. Our campus employs a multi-layered mitigation strategy - including hand hygiene, physical distancing throughout the campus and mandatory wearing of face coverings at all times - to ensure the safety of all students and staff. As required and in the spirit of transparency, the school's Director of Health Services reports all positive cases of students and staff to the Orange County Health Care Agency, regardless of the origin of the exposure."

Editor's note: A previous version of this story described the new cases at the two Orange County high schools as an "outbreak." That reference has since been removed.

The video above is from a previous report.