Dear parents/guardians,
The district learned today, October 24, 2020 that a Unatego staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
The staff member who tested positive has not had contact with students since October 16, more than a week ago. At this time, our local health department is in contact with a very small number of people in our school community who had close contact with the individual and advising them to take a precautionary quarantine. Our school staff followed COVID-19 protocols at all times, in accordance with the district’s Reopening plan, and this helped greatly limit the risk of exposure. We will continue to cooperate and coordinate with the Otsego County Health Department.
At this time, following the Otsego County Health Department recommendations, our district will remain open with our in-person, hybrid instruction model. Our Reopening Plan and hybrid schedule are designed to reduce risk. We cannot eliminate all risk, especially outside of our school buildings. However, because we continue to be diligent in enforcing social distancing, mask wearing when social distancing is not possible, and encouraging hand washing and sanitation, our local health department said the risk of secondary infections is low. In addition, because our Reopening Plan tightly controls how many students and staff are in one location at any one time, health officials were able to act quickly and complete contact tracing.
A COVID screening is done for all students and staff members prior to the start of the school day and this will continue. Parents and staff are asked to complete the form at home before they come to school. We re-screen temperatures for all students every day at arrival time. Cooperation with this screening and with our COVID mitigation policies has been greatly appreciated and has helped lead to a safer school environment.
Please note that the federal and state privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive or release any additional information.
Since the start of the school year, the district has been thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all portions of our school building that are in use by students and staff on a daily basis and in accordance with guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the CDC.
Any additional questions, including information about testing procedures, can be directed to the Otsego County Health Department at (607) 547-4385 or (607) 547 1697 after hours.
Sincerely,
Dr. David S. Richards, Superintendent of Schools