Test results are expected to start coming in today for 116 students and seven staff members in the Sachem Central School District who were potentially exposed to an active case of tuberculosis after a student recently tested positive.

Last Thursday, May 15, Sachem High School East Principal Lou Antonetti sent a letter home to the 123 people who the district believed had extended contact with the infected individual who had an active case of the disease.

"We are contacting you because we have reason to believe that you had contact with this individual during the time (s)he was infectious," Antonetti wrote.

On Monday, May 19, the district provided a free skin test to those potentially exposed. The district also offered the option for students and staff to go to their doctors for testing.

A Suffolk County Health Department spokesperson said the agency could not disclose how many of the 123 people were tested at the school versus privately.

“It was only one student anyway that had it, and everybody is being tested, so I’m not worried about it," Holtsville resident Lisa Russo said.

Others said they were concerned.

"What's being done to ensure the safety of the kids when we, as parents or guardians, send them to school?" Farmingville resident Janie Gallo asked.

The tests take two days to show results. According to district officials, the test results will be evaluated at the high school today.

Testing will be done again in July after a 2-month incubation period has elapsed.

Tuberculosis is a potentially serious infectious disease caused by bacteria. It primarily affects the lungs and causes a persistent cough and chest pain.

The bacteria are easily spread through the air when actively sick people cough, sneeze or speak.

“I’ve had TB before, so you can fight it," Farmingville resident Anton Kovary said. "You can overcome any kind of disease you have.”

According to the state health department, there were 1,089 total statewide tuberculosis cases last year, including 48 in Nassau County and 52 in Suffolk County.