Report by Paula Antolini, September 13, 2020, 7:00PM EDT
The Bethel Public Schools sent a letter to Parents, Guardians, and Staff on Sunday about a member of the school community who has tested positive for COVID-19. The Bethel High School will remain open after it has been determined by the Bethel Department of Public Health that there was no risk to students or staff at Bethel High School. Read letter below:
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff:
On Sunday, September 13, 2020, we were notified that a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19. The district has continually communicated that the reaction to an exposure is very case specific.
In consultation with the Bethel Department of Public Health and investigation of this specific case, it was determined that there was no risk to students or staff at Bethel High School and the school can remain open. In this particular case, the exposure was not during the regular school day.
We have not received any other reports of any individuals who have experienced symptoms or signs of illness.
The Bethel Health Department, in partnership with the district, conducted a thorough contact tracing protocol. School and health department officials have reached out to any staff and the parents/guardians of students who may have had the potential for close contact. Close contact is defined as being within six feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes.
For those of you who have had no exposure or close contact with a positive case, you will not be notified. Our district protocols for a positive case are outlined in this letter.
We will continue to monitor closely the health conditions of our students and staff. We will also continue to implement all of the mitigation strategies in our reopening plan. The health and safety of all members of our school community remains our priority. We want to remind families to continue to conduct daily health screenings for symptoms before sending students to school or any extracurricular programs.
Thank you again for all of your efforts as a community.
Sincerely,
Christine L. Carver, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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