WESTBROOK — Schools are closed and going fully remote until Dec. 7 following a number of positive COVID-19 cases and illnesses that have impacted staffing.

The change was announced to families Monday.

A “number of staff members have been affected,” with positive cases among transportation employees as well, said School Committee Chairperson Noreen Poitras, and positive cases were announced Monday at the High School and at Sacarappa.

Superintendent Peter Lancia those with the virus at the high school and at Saccarappa were last at school on Nov. 19, and the person in the transportation department was last there Nov. 20

“We found out today at Saccarappa there are cases, and because transportation is now involved we thought it’d be better to go entirely remote,” Poitras told the American Journal on Monday.

On Nov. 22, the school department announced a positive case at the high school with closure initially slated to end Dec. 2. On Nov. 20, Congin Elementary went fully remote after one person with the virus was found to have had close contact with a number of staff and students, initially slated to return to school at the end of the month.

“People who are identified as a close contact of the individuals are being contacted,” Superintendent Peter Lancia said in a Nov. 23 letter to families. “Close contacts are expected to quarantine for 14 days from the last exposure to the positive individual. If you or your students are not contacted, you are not considered close contacts in this case. Regardless, please closely monitor yourself for potential symptoms of COVID and contact your health care provider if symptoms start.”