November 22, 2020
- One (1) new COVID-19 positive case at Davis School (Davis Case #4) has been identified.
- Out of an abundance of caution, the two classrooms in which Case #4 participates will move to remote learning for two weeks from the date of the last contact – returning from remote learning on December 3rd (Cohorts A & C) and 4th (Cohort B).
- Close Contacts of Case #4 have been identified by contact tracers and have been instructed to
- Davis Case #4 is not related to Case #2 that was reported on 11-18-20 OR Case #3 that was reported on 11-20-20.
- There are 3 active COVID-19 positive cases in the Davis School Community at this time.
Today, I was informed of a 4th case of COVID-19 within the Davis School Community since the start of school in mid-September. Davis Case #4 is now in isolation at home. Investigations revealed that Davis Case #4 was present in school during their infectious period and close contacts have been identified and instructed to quarantine for fourteen (14) days after the last exposure to Case #4 or, under new quarantine protocols, have a negative COVID-19 test collected on day eight (8) of initial quarantine for a shorter quarantine period (10 or more days).
Out of an abundance of caution, the two classrooms in which Case #4 participates will move to remote learning for two weeks. Students or staff members in those classrooms may or may not be required to quarantine. The Bedford Board of Health Staff and School Nurses immediately began a case investigation to determine close contacts of the case.
A close contact is defined as anyone within 6’ of the affected individual for greater than 15 minutes, cumulatively over 24 hours. Any student or staff member determined to be a close contact, both through activities inside or outside of school or as a result of the inability to confirm the specific time frame of contact being less than 15 minutes with Case #4, will be contacted by the Board of Health Staff or School Nurses and will be required to quarantine.
The ability for us to achieve recall of time frames and confirm contacts is at times a struggle when communicating with our youngest learners. As parents or caregivers of our youngest learners, you know how difficult it can be for many of them to adhere to social distancing protocols, in spite of best efforts to do so. The enthusiasm and excitement of our youngest students is both the best part of teaching, and the toughest part of adherence to social distancing guidelines in this new COVID-19 world. It is this uncertainty that leads us to have to make some conservative decisions to protect all who could have been in contact with a case.
Testing will be recommended for all close contacts, however, any close contacts testing negative for COVID-19 must still complete quarantine requirements as issued by the Bedford Board of Health Staff. If you are not contacted by the Board of Health Staff or School Nurse, then your child is not considered a close contact.
Information on close contact identification, contacting tracing, and where and when to get tested, can be found in our FAQ.
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.
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.
We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case 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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