An individual who works at or attends New Canaan High School has tested positive for COVID-19 virus, according to the superintendent of schools, prompting district officials to instruct that person to stay home for a time and for others in “close contact” with him or her to self-quarantine.
The district was notified Sunday afternoon of the positive case, Dr. Bryan Luizzi said in an email to the school community. It wasn’t clear whether the affected individual is a student, teacher or faculty member. He or she last was in NCHS Thursday, Luizzi said.
“The affected person has been instructed to remain home in self-isolation for 10 days, and has been provided with additional instructions to follow prior to returning to school,” Luizzi said in the email, sent around 5 p.m.. “As they are close contacts of a positive case, family members residing in the home have also been instructed to self-quarantine and get tested.”
The email continued: “The last day this person was in New Canaan High School was Thursday, 9/17. Anyone who is considered a ‘close contact’ with this person will receive an email in the next hour with notification and instructions on the appropriate steps to take. Those who may have been exposed will be asked to self-quarantine for at least 14 days from the date of exposure, and to reach out to their health provider to obtain testing.”
The positive case comes three-plus weeks into the school year and on the even of the district’s plan to have all of kindergarten, first and second grade attend elementary school, with third and fourth grades to follow Thursday. (Here’s the district’s continuously updated operations guide, including information on health monitoring and containment, and here’s the state’s guidance on addressing positive cases in schools.)
According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, New Canaan has had 220 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 35 deaths from coronavirus disease.
Luizzi said in his email that the district continues to work with local and state health officials in handling cases such as the one presented Sunday.
“Since we reopened our schools on 8/31, we have been committed to implementing the mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC and the Connecticut Department of Public Health,” Luizzi said in his email. “These strategies include wearing face coverings, social distancing, frequent hand washing, increased cleaning and disinfecting, enhanced ventilation, and cohorting of student groups wherever possible. As we’ve mentioned earlier, these are also some of the most effective strategies to use at home, and we hope you’ll do so with your family. By working together, we have the best chance of controlling the spread and keeping our schools safe and open.”
Those showing symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive diagnosis are asked to contact a school nurse or principal immediately.
“This is extremely important because the speed at which we receive notification will determine whether or not we must close a school the next day,” Luizzi said in his email. “If given enough time to contact trace and notify those impacted, we will strive to keep the school open as long as it is safe to do so. Without enough notice, we may be forced to temporarily close a school to provide time to trace and notify. Regardless of the day or time, please reach out to us as soon as you know so we can begin problem-solving immediately.”