Editor’s Note: This original story was updated on Saturday, Aug. 29 to reflect three new cases.

Collierville High School is going to remote learning for the next two weeks and its football team is quarantined for the same period following five reported cases of coronavirus, the suburban district announced Friday, Aug. 28.

And, on Saturday, high school parents learned about three more cases — bringing the total to eight in the week. Those three on Saturday were added to three on Friday and two cases related to the football team earlier in the week.

Collierville suspends football after two positive COVID-19 tests ‘specific’ to team

There were indications that at least two of the three Friday cases were connected to the football team.

Students will learn remotely through Sept. 11.

Collierville High is the only campus affected in the suburban district. “No other Collierville school will be impacted by this decision,” according to communication from the district.

“Based on the current COVID-19 cluster at Collierville High School, the district administration has activated its contingency plan with support and guidance provided by the Shelby County Health Department,” said Mario Hogue, public information officer.

Hogue noted remote learning option was always part of the back to school plan in the event of an outbreak.

The decision comes one week after Collierville High limited access to the Dragons season-opening game to Briarcrest, won by the Saints.

The district allowed only 650 people into the stadium based on Health Department guidelines associated with such gatherings during the pandemic.

Earlier this week, the district announced it was canceling the Dragons next two games — this week’s contest against Milan and next week’s game against Munford. That decision was based on two players associated with the football team testing positive.

Calkins: Collierville High suspends football games — but this isn’t about Collierville

Hogue was unable to say if the three cases reported Friday were related to the football game, but a source with knowledge of the situation said at least two of the cases were football players.

At the direction of the Shelby County Health Department, the entire team and all coaches have been asked to quarantine for 14 days. It does not apply to family members who were not in direct contact with the positive cases.

A letter sent to parents from head coach Joe Rocconi said “This is our worst fear coming true.” However, he asked for parents and players to look for the positive in the midst of the situation.

“Players, I will miss you very much over the next 14 days but I will stay in contact,” the coach emailed. “Hang in there. Even though we cannot see it, there is a light at the end of this tunnel and we will be stronger for what we are enduring.”

Nancy Kelley, Collierville Schools safe schools director, said in an email to close contacts that those students should quarantine but are not required to get tested unless they become symptomatic.