Local daycare asked to close because of possible COVID-19 exposure

Bell County Health District officials have asked the New Beginnings Learning Academy at 969 Marlandwood Rd. in Temple to close temporarily after a person associated with the facility tested positive for the new coronavirus.

“During the early investigation process we have found that numerous individuals throughout the academy may have been exposed,” health district Executive Director Dr. Amanda Robison-Chadwell said in a statement Monday afternoon.

“The administrators have agreed to close and have notified parents of children who attend the academy,” she said.

Employees, children and families will be monitored for symptoms, she said.

The facility has a total capacity of 160 and is licensed to serve infants and toddlers as well as pre-K and school-age children, according to Texas Department of Health and Human Services records.

Daycares that provided services to the children of workers deemed essential under shelter-in-place orders issued to stem the spread of the virus were allowed to remain open, but were required to follow social distancing guidelines and other observe other restrictions.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced that other daycare facilities can reopen effective immediately.