Dr. LaKeisha Gantt Board President Dr. Xernona Thomas Superintendent
TO:
Chase Street Elementary School Families and Staff
FROM:
Amy Roark, BSN RN, Director of Nursing Services
SUBJECT:
COVID-19 Update: Chase Street Elementary School
DATE:
May 10, 2021
Over the weekend, three (3) additional COVID-19 cases were reported at Chase Street Elementary. Since April 30, a total of eleven (11) positive COVID-19 cases have been reported at the school. Two of the three new cases do indicate classroom spread. Thankfully, these two new positive cases did not have any identified close contacts since they were already at home in quarantine. We are currently contact tracing the third case, and we do anticipate a few school-based exposures will be identified. We will contact families as appropriate. Please monitor your children for symptoms of illness such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, stomachache, headache, loss of smell/taste, etc. Due to the nature of COVID-19, we know that some children who are positive may not exhibit any symptoms. If you choose to have your child tested for COVID-19, the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) molecular, nasal swab test is strongly recommended due to a higher degree of accuracy as compared to the rapid antigen test. How do I get a PCR COVID-19 test? • •
DPH: publichealthathens.com Hilsman Health Center: call (706) 546-7463 for an appointment. You may have to leave a message, but they will return your call with an appointment time.
What happens if my child tests positive for COVID-19? • • • •
•
Your child will be required to isolate for 10 days. o The day of symptom onset or the day of testing is day zero (0). After you report the positive test to the school, you will receive a call from a school nurse and a letter via email from the school district with isolation information and guidelines. The provider who performed the COVID-19 test is required to report the positive result to the Department of Public Health (DPH) so that the DPH contact tracers can follow up with the family. The CCSD COVID Response Team contact traces school-based exposures, not community exposures. They work closely with the student’s teachers, the school nurse, and building administrators to identify and notify individuals exposed during the school day. CCSD reports the positive case and all identified school-based exposures to DPH so DPH can continue the contact tracing effort.
What happens if my child is exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19? • • • •
Your child will be required to quarantine for 10 days. o The day of exposure to the positive individual is day zero (0). You will receive a phone call from either the school or the district contact tracers. You will receive a letter via email with quarantine information and guidelines. PCR COVID-19 testing is recommended for all exposed individuals. o If your child is feeling fine and does not have any symptoms of COVID-19, testing is recommended on day 5-7 of quarantine.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at: roarka@clarke.k12.ga.us
440-1 Dearing Extension
Athens, Georgia 30606 PHONE: 706.546.7721 www.clarke.k12.ga.us
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