The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) has informed us that we now have four staff members in our schools that have been diagnosed with COVID-19—three at the Elementary School and one at the Middle School/High School. As of this morning, August 26, our District has four staff members in isolation and eight staff members and seven students in quarantine.
Staff members and students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate for ten (10) days from the first onset of symptoms and must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Staff members and students who are verified close contacts are required to quarantine for fourteen (14) days since their last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
Isolation is for people who are already sick with COVID-19 and quarantine is for people who are not sick, but may have been exposed to COVID-19. Isolation separates and restricts the movement of sick people so they cannot spread the disease. Quarantined people may or may not become sick. Quarantined people must stay at home or another location so they do not spread the disease.
We are alerting parents to be watchful for children with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 illness during the next 14 days. If your child is identified as being a verified close contact to the COVID-19 case, the SD-DOH and our District will contact you.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
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· Fever or chills |
· Headache |
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· Cough |
· Loss of taste or smell |
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· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing |
· Sore throat |
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· Fatigue |
· Congestion or runny nose |
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· Muscle or body aches |
· Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea |
The COVID-19 virus is spread from person-to-person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Spread is more likely to occur when people are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes).
If your child develops symptoms of any contagious disease, including COVID-19, do not send him/her to school. If a healthcare provider is contacted, follow all directions on care and testing.
Precautions to avoid illness:
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
· Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
· Individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults or people who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease, should take actions to reduce your risk of exposure. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html)
For more information on COVID-19, South Dakota’s Information Line can be reached at (800) 997-2880 or visit https://covid.sd.gov/.
Sincerely,
Brian Field, Superintendent
Beresford School District