A positive case of Covid-19 at Ross Woodward School has led to the quarantining of 13 people there.
“The New Haven Health Department has been in contact with” the person who tested positive, “and we wish them a speedy recovery. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be 13 individuals quarantined,” Assistant Superintendent of Schools Keisha Hannans wrote Thursday night in an email message.
That came a day after three more New Haven schools were added to the list where people have tested positive for Covid-19.
Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey Wednesday evening informed families, faculty, and staffers at two schools, Lincoln Bassett and Barnard, that “an individual” at each location has had a confirmed case. The individual is quarantining; officials have contacted parents of students who may have come into contact with the individuals.
Then on Thursday afternoon she informed the Columbus Family Academy community that someone at that school, too, has tested positive.
Tracey declined to identify if the cases involved students or staffers. She said she is confined to identifying the people involved as “individuals.”
The city reopened elementary schools and some specialized programs last week for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak began last March. Since then a near-daily dribble of announcements has ensued about Covid-19 cases.
Before the latest revelations, Tracey announced that someone at Nathan Hale School has tested positive for Covid-19, and is quarantining.
“I was informed late Monday night that an individual at Nathan Hale School has tested positive for COVID-19,” Tracey wrote Tuesday to Hale families, faculty and staff. “This individual has been instructed by the New Haven Health Department to remain home in isolation for 10 days, and has been provided with additional instructions to follow prior to returning to school. Our deepest sympathies to the individual who tested positive, and we wish for a speedy recovery. …
“As a result, there are 2 individuals being instructed to stay home and quarantine for 10 days. Areas where the person worked will be disinfected.”
A day earlier, Tracey reported that two people have tested positive for Covid-19 and a third “has a suspected case” a week after pre-K‑5 schools reopened to partial in-person learning.
One of those cases involves a person at Conte West Hills School.
“All protocols have been adhered to regarding contact tracing and notifying anyone who may have been in close contact for the duration of time prescribed by CDC. As a result, 8 individuals are asked to quarantine. The school remains in session for in-person,” Tracey wrote to board members.
The other two cases occurred at Benjamin Jepson School. One of the people who tested positive will “remain home in isolation for 10 days,” Tracey wrote in a letter to Jepson “families, faculty and staff.” An “unrelated” case involved somebody “from a different cohort at the school” who “has a suspected case.” That person’s “cohort will engage in remote learning for at least two days,” Tracey wrote.
After conducting all instruction remote since the onset of the pandemic last March, New Haven reopened elementary schools and some specialized programs last Tuesday to partial in-person, partial remote learning.
Following is the text of Tracey’s letter about the Jepson cases:
January 25, 2021
Dear Benjamin Jepson Families, Faculty, and Staff:
I was informed late Sunday night that an individual at Benjamin Jepson School has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual has been instructed by the New Haven Health Department to remain home in isolation for 10 days, and has been provided with additional instructions to follow prior to returning to school. Our deepest sympathies to the individual who tested positive, and we wish for a speedy recovery.
This individual was last in school in person on Friday, January 22, 2021. The New Haven Health Department has conducted contact tracing to identify individuals who meet the definition of close contact to the affected individual and will need to quarantine. Close contact is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as being within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. The contact is further defined as occurring up to two days prior to an individual exhibiting symptoms or testing positive for the coronavirus. Should any of these individuals develop symptoms, they are advised to call their healthcare provider and the New Haven Health Department to discuss being tested for COVID-19.
The CDC recently updated their guidance on the duration of quarantine from 14 days to 10 days for an individual who has been identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. They recommend the 14 day period when possible and require additional monitoring during days 11 – 14 following the 10 day quarantine period. As a result, state contact tracers or other health departments/districts may advise individuals of a 10 day quarantine duration.
Please note that the New Haven Health Department will continue to advise identified students and staff members in New Haven Public Schools to quarantine for 10 days from the time of their close contact. We are making this decision under the guidance of the health department and with the health and safety of our students and staff being our first priority.
If you have not been contacted by the health department, then you/your student have not been identified as a close contact to the affected individual.
I was also informed that an individual from a different cohort has a suspected case of COVID-19 at Benjamin Jepson School. It is important to note that these cases are unrelated. The New Haven Health Department is investigating this case. Out of an abundance of caution, this individual’s cohort will engage in remote learning for at least two days. New Haven Public Schools will continue to work closely with the New Haven Health Department and we will communicate further details to the school community if the case is confirmed.
The classrooms will be disinfected and school remains open in-person for the rest of the school. We continue to remind you of the importance of adhering to the CDC guidelines to stay safe and healthy and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Please also remind your students of these important protocols.
1. Wear a mask whenever you or your family members will be in the presence of others.
2. Maintain social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet apart from other people.
3. Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
4. Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
5. Do not come to school or send your student to school when sick.
New Haven Public Schools will closely monitor this situation and will continue to work with both the New Haven Health Department. We will provide you with updates as needed.
Have a great rest of the weekend. Regards,
Iline Tracey Ed. D.
Superintendent
The schools must be open outside.