I was informed today that a school community member (i.e., student or staff) at Bedford High School has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Upon receipt of the positive reports, the Bedford school health personnel in collaboration with the Bedford Board of Health immediately began case investigations. The first step in a school case investigation is to determine whether or not the positive case attended school during the infectious period. According to MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) guidelines, the infectious period for COVID-19 is two days prior to becoming symptomatic or, if asymptomatic, two days prior to testing.
The investigation revealed that this COVID-19 positive school community member at Bedford High School WAS present at school during their infectious period, and close contacts were identified among the school community in this situation. All close contacts have been identified and instructed to quarantine for 14 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive, regardless of a test result.
Our first responsibility is to keep our school community safe. We have been planning for this scenario during our reopening planning process and have a comprehensive plan in place to sanitize the school each school day, inform families whose students were at risk of exposure or in close contact, and support the affected family as they navigate this stressful experience.
Our school community has been working hard to adhere to the safety protocols necessary for ensuring preventing close contacts including mask-wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing; however, in circumstances where adherence to safety protocols cannot be confirmed/maintained, either inadvertently (i.e. young children having to be repeatedly reminded to keep distance or students unable to remember if they had contact with others) or necessarily (i.e. special needs students needing close care as part of their daily education), close contacts do occur.
We remind parents/guardians/caregivers that it is imperative that all Bedford Public School students be evaluated for symptoms of COVID-19 each day before sending them off to school. Teachers and school staff are required to do the same self-evaluation for symptoms. These measures, taken in combination, greatly reduce the risk of transmission. Though we cannot provide specific information about our school community member who tested positive, all close contacts (defined as being within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) of Case #9 have been notified and directed to quarantine. Please continue to monitor your child for symptoms, and keep your child home if he/she/they shows any symptoms or is not feeling well.
There is another School Community Member whose case is still pending. Information on the outcome of this pending case will be reported in future communication.
We will continue to be vigilant in adhering to all of the protocols that have been put in place in an effort to continue in person learning via our current hybrid model. We are also providing remote learning for all students required to quarantine at home to continue to provide instruction, structure, and an emotional connection to the classroom during a time that we know will be challenging for those children and families involved.
It is important to note that all of the COVID-19 positive cases that have been identified in the Bedford School Community to date are predicted to have acquired the disease from a close contact within their household or outside of school. We have no evidence of in-school transmission at this time.
- For some Frequently Asked Questions on how the Bedford Board of Health responds to COVID-19 positive cases and the contact tracing protocols, please navigate to: https://www.bedfordma.gov/bedford-board-of- health/files/responding-to-positive-cases-of-covid-19-and-contact-tracing-faq
- Parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Covid-19. If you believe you or your child may have symptoms of Covid-19 , you can check your symptoms at: https://www.buoyhealth.com/symptom- checker/?configuration=ma_covid&concern=coronavirus
- Anyone exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 should avoid contact with others and contact their healthcare provider and/or get a molecular diagnostic Covid-19 test. For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and free testing sites, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.
- You can also find a map of testing sites at: https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact your school nurse immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If there is additional transmission as a result of these cases or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Wishing you continued health.
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