Dear Families, Students and Staff,
This letter is to inform you that an individual associated with SeDoMoCha tested positive for COVID-19. We were notified this morning, October 14, 2021. We have taken steps with our response team to follow Maine CDC and DOE guidelines to notify staff and students as appropriate. We believe it best to share what we can with our entire community. Here are some details:
Five individuals have been ruled in as close contacts to the individuals who tested positive. While not all staff or students who are close contacts will need to quarantine due to pool testing or vaccination, students and staff that need to quarantine will be contacted directly by school personnel.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying health conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms include:
●fever / chills ●new loss of taste / smell
●cough ●congestion / runny nose
●shortness of breath / difficulty breathing ●nausea / vomiting
●fatigue ●diarrhea
●muscle / body aches ●sore throat
●headache
Please keep in mind that many things can cause respiratory illness, so students (and staff) should be up-to-date on influenza and routine vaccinations.
Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to help control the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper handwashing with soap and warm water, which is especially important after using the bathroom, before/after eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing and when entering the school building in the morning. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
SeDoMoCha also requires masks when the county transmission rate is deemed red or orange. Effective September 22, 2021, we will not expect you to test if you have been out of state unless you are showing symptoms.
Questions for the school can be directed to the Superintendent’s Office by calling 564-6535 option 5 or directed to the school nurse, Courtney Arcaro at 564-6535 ext.1106.
Sincerely,
Stacy Shorey
Superintendent of Schools