Dear Port Jervis Learning Community,
This morning, November 4, 2020, a staff member assigned to Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School reported receipt of a positive COVID-19 test result. The school district will collaborate with the staff member and the Orange County Department of Health to complete the contact tracing protocol. While we anticipate that proximate and direct contacts will be limited based on the assignment of this individual, all contacts will be contacted by school district personnel by this afternoon. An update to this posting will be distributed via our website and Facebook when all contacts have been informed of their need to quarantine.
Please note that we have not received confirmation of this case from the Orange County Department of Health. As a result of the delay in confirmation from the Department of Health from a previous case, I am sharing this information upon being informed by the staff member of their status. This decision was made to ensure that our learning community has such information at the earliest possible opportunity.
In addition to the information provided by the Orange County Department of Health listed below, please note the two attachments regarding quarantine and isolation procedures.
The Orange County Department of Health has provided the following reminders specific to COVID-19:
The most important things you can do:
- Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
- Make sure your child is washing their hands.
- Keep your child home if they are sick.
- Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
A new coronavirus causes COVID-19, which is an illness that was discovered in 2019. Coronaviruses are a type of virus that are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. There are many kinds of coronaviruses including some that cause respiratory illnesses, like the common cold. The specific symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 spreads mainly from having close contact with someone who has a COVID-19 infection. The virus is thought to spread by droplets from person to person when they speak, cough, or sneeze. Droplets travel less than 6 feet. When droplets from another person get in your mouth or nose you can inhale into your lungs. This virus can be spread by people without symptoms.
How can parents and guardians help prevent COVID-19 from spreading?
- If your child is sick, keep them home.
- Make sure members of your household wash their hands often using soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Make sure every member of your household covers their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow, and then washes their hands afterwards.
- Wear a mask in public when you cannot stay 6 feet apart from other people.
We are working with the Health Department to keep our community safe.
- We continue to follow the Health Department’s guidance for childcare.
- We cleaned and disinfected the school buildings per the New York State Department of Health guidance.
- Employees and sick children will not return to work until they are healthy and cleared by a healthcare provider.
Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Orange County Department of Health at
845-291-2330.
Sincerely,
Mike Rydell
Superintendent of Schools
Resources: