Dear Staff, Parents and Community Members:

Yesterday, the Reading Public Schools was notified that two of our elementary age students tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).  Neither student has been in school yet this year, have not been in close contact with staff or students and they are currently quarantined according to DESE protocols.  Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their definition of close contact to include someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.  In school settings, close contacts include being in a classroom, in other school spaces, on the bus, or at an extra-curricular activity.  Contact tracing with these students have been completed, and any close contacts have been notified and will be followed up by the Reading Board of Health. We have not received any reports of other students or staff members experiencing illnesses with symptoms resembling those of coronavirus. 

COVID-19 is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to take the following preventive measures:

• It is not one mitigation strategy but a combination of all these strategies taken together that will substantially reduce the risk of transmission.
• Staff must monitor themselves for symptoms daily and students, with the assistance of families, must also be monitored daily for symptoms. Staff and students must stay home if feeling unwell.
• Masks are among the most important single measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. We require all students and staff to wear masks that adequately cover both their nose and mouth. Exceptions must be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings.
• Hand hygiene is critical. Students and staff are required to exercise hand hygiene (handwashing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best practice. However, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be substituted when handwashing is not available.
• Physical distance greatly reduces the risk of transmission. Physical distancing is a critical tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The CDC[1] and DPH[2] recommend 6 feet of distance between individuals.
• Cohorts/assigned seating. Students organized in groups/classrooms and other cohorts help mitigate transmission of the virus. Assigned seating is important because it effectively creates even smaller groups within cohorts which minimize transmission. Assigned seats can also assist with contact tracing. Wherever possible, seats should be assigned (including classroom, bus, meals).

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and the single most important thing to do if any of the following symptoms are present is to STAY HOME.

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills (CDC has lowered the temperature from 100.4 to 100.0)
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Headache when in combination with other symptoms
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

If staff or students have any of these symptoms, we encourage you to get a molecular COVID-19 test.  A list of test sites is available here, and Massachusetts also has an interactive testing map. Staff and students who have symptoms should also contact their primary care physician for further instructions.

We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates as we know more. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John F. Doherty

Superintendent of Schools

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[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

[2] https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment#social-distancing-