COVID-19 cases in our District for November 18, 2020
November 18, 2020Dear parents and guardians,
I’m writing this evening to update you on the asymptomatic COVID-19 testing that took place today at Elden Elementary School and Palmer Elementary School, and to notify you about new COVID-19 cases in our District.
Onondaga County officials tested 115 students and staff members at Elden, and 146 students and staff members were tested at Palmer as part of the testing required to remain open while our schools are in the yellow micro-cluster zone. There was one positive case at Palmer.
The impacted student at Palmer is now in isolation. The Onondaga County Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation. We will update you as soon as information on required quarantines becomes available. Due to our cohort schedule, all potentially impacted students and staff members will not be in our school building tomorrow.
Thank you to the 261 students and staff members who volunteered to be tested today. Asymptomatic testing will continue on Friday at Durgee Junior High School and Baker High School.
We were notified by the Onondaga County Health Department that we have multiple positive cases of COVID-19 in our District. The cases involve two McNamara Elementary School students, two Durgee Junior High School students, and one Van Buren Elementary School student.
The impacted McNamara students are relatives and were last in attendance on November 10. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation. They will be contacting the 28 students and 6 staff who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on November 24, with a return to school on November 30 as scheduled.
The impacted Durgee Junior High School student was last in attendance on November 16. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation. They will be contacting the 10 students who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on November 30, with a return to school on December 2 following the Thanksgiving holiday as scheduled for the Buzz cohort.
The second impacted Durgee Junior High School student was last in attendance on November 9. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation, but at this time there appears to be no quarantines due to in-school exposure.
The impacted Van Buren Elementary School student was last in attendance on November 10. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation, but at this time there appears to be no quarantines due to in-school exposure.
The students are now in isolation. We can’t provide any additional information about the cases due to confidentiality and privacy constraints.
Out of an abundance of caution, we ask that families please keep an eye out for signs and symptoms as it takes 7 to 8 days after exposure. The District is taking precautions to protect the health and safety of its students and employees. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and communicate updates, if necessary.
At this time, the District has determined that there is no need to cancel in-person instruction at any of the impacted schools. The District’s custodial staff will continue its regular deep cleaning and sanitizing practices in our buildings and on our school buses.
In closing, now more than ever it is extremely important to maintain social distancing, utilize face coverings, and follow good personal hygiene habits like frequently washing hands. As always, we appreciate your support and understanding on this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. DeBarbieri
Acting Superintendent of Schools
