An Update on our Second Round of COVID-19 Testing

​We have just received results from 565 of the 617 COVID-19 tests we performed on Monday and Tuesday. We expect the remaining results to be reported this evening and will follow up on these should the results warrant further communication. We did have 4 positive results out of the 565 results returned, three students and a part-time coach. All cases are asymptomatic.

• Case #1 is a 12th grade student and we have identified those students that have been in close contact. These students have all been notified.

• Case #2 is a 6th grade student and we have identified those students that have been in close contact. These students have been notified.
  
  
• Case #3 is 5th grade student in Mrs. Clark’s homeroom class. We have determined that all members of Mrs. Clark’s class have been in close contact. These students have been notified.
  
  
• Case #4 is an assistant coach. It has been determined that one other coach and two students have been in close contact. They have been notified.

Individuals testing positive and their siblings will quarantine for 14 days assuming no symptoms develop. Students identified as in close contact will isolate for five days and until they receive a negative test result. All cases will be reported to the Department of Health for further follow up.

I am pleased so far with the results (< 1% positivity rate) and want to remind everyone that these were asymptomatic cases and would not have been identified without our testing. While this does create initial increased concern, it is important to remember that testing is designed to identify these cases in order to decrease the likelihood of a major spreading incident. In this way, we must deal with the inconvenience of identifying asymptomatic cases and isolating other students but we increase the likelihood we will get through the school year without having to close school. I appreciate your patience. 

I know everyone will have many questions and I am intentionally being vague about the identities of the students involved. I have spoken with individual members of the medical advisory group and the entire group will meet tomorrow evening to review decisions and to make recommendations moving forward.

Please remember that there is a substantial false negative rate in COVID testing and that along with the fact that testing is only a snapshot in time, means that you should remain in the mindset that we should treat all people as potentially positive. Continue to use masks, socially distance, and avoid spaces with large numbers of people.

You will hear more from your division heads but please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.