By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven High School “community’ had three reported cases of COVID-19, according to emails sent to parents this week. The emails did not specify if the cases were among students or staff.
In a letter to parents on 9/29 ,Principal Andrew Kulak said that two positive cases had been reported.
He said the initial step was to determine if the people had attended school during the infectious period, defined as two days prior to becoming symptomatic or, if asymptomaitc, two days prior to testing. In each case, the individual did not attend school, he said.
Mr. Kulak also stated that out of an “abundance of caution,” the school felt it was necessary to determine who was in close contact with the positive cases. He said they determined that there were “no primary student contacts that needed to be notified.”
He said they did notify students who were in the pod with the confirmed case, but only to notify them that there was a case in their pod.
“We have been working with staff and families on a case-by-case basis to create the safest environment for our learning community and will continue to communicate with our school community on a regular basis,” reads the letter.
On 10/2, Mr. Kulak sent another email informing parents that another case had been identified.
He said all three cases are not believed to be connected.
“At this point, if you have not been contacted….you are not considered to be a close contact and do not require testing and/or quaranting,” he wrote.
“While we expect to see positive cases as we continue to move through the school year, we want to emphasize the importance of trying to stay within safety guidelines in and out of school,” reads the 10/2 letter. “Most importantly, if you have ANY symptoms, stay home and all the school to inform.”
In other COVID news, Mass. Governor Charliel Baker said he would leave it up to indvidual communities to allow trick-or-treating this Halloween.
He said the problem with banning the practice is that people will hold large indoor parties, which is worse for the spread of the virus, and a “very bad idea.”
He said the state will be issuing tips and advice about Halloween, but he will not issue mandates or rules.
As of Tuesday, 10/6/20, the state had 133,359 confirmed cases; 9323 deaths, with eight being reported on 10/6; 454 new cases reported on 10/6; and 2,330,656 people tested.
On 10/6, Fairhaven was still in the yellow zone, which is not the lowest zone, but is considered moderate risk; Acushnet was also yellow, a change from last week when it was gray; Rochester was also yellow, which is a change from its gray designation last week. Mattapoisett and Marion are still gray.
For the latest updates in Massachusetts, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
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