In a statement released Wednesday Red Clay Superintendent Dorrell Green announced that someone in the Red Clay community had tested positive for coronavirus. Green did not say if the individual was staff, a student or a parent.
Statement in its entirety;
Dear Families,
The health and safety of our students, families and staff are paramount. Like you, we are adapting to this challenging time for our schools and our community. Communication is key during these times.
Today, we have received reports of a positive case of coronavirus in our community. While our schools remain closed, teams will continue the on-site deep cleaning and sanitizing of the buildings.
State officials expect the number of positive cases to continue to rise over the coming weeks, and many communities will learn of instances of secondary exposure.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. Staff and families are advised to look for symptoms and contact your, or your child’s physician, if anyone displays symptoms. If you are sick, the Division of Public Health (DPH) encourages you to stay home and limit contact with other well individuals in your home.
The DPH’s guidance for individuals who are well, is to limit social contacts while practicing social distancing from others (keeping 6 feet apart) and finding alternative ways to greet people that don’t involve shaking hands, as well as practicing good hand and cough hygiene. However, individuals who are at elevated risk, which includes persons age 60 and older and those with chronic underlying health conditions, are urged to remain at home to limit their exposure to germs.
If you do not have a health care provider, contact DPH’s Dana Carr at [email protected] or 1-703-942-9912.
For general questions about COVID-19, please call the Delaware Division of Public Health hotline at 1-866.408.1899 or email them at [email protected].
While you and your children are at home, there are steps that all of us can take to safeguard our own health and the health of our community. The CDC recommends that everyone take the following preventive measures:
- Wash hands frequently and effectively (i.e., use soap and water; rub hands under the water for at least 20 seconds). If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Keep a safe distance from anyone who may be sick.
- Clean and disinfect anything you touch frequently.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue; throw the tissue in the trash immediately.
- Adults and children should stay home when sick.
More Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy
We know many of you are at home wondering what else you can do to protect your family. We asked the DPH some of your top questions, and here is what they recommended:
Avoid group gatherings for students, including sleepovers, play dates, parties, or teen groups.
Those who do need childcare, try to limit the number of interactions and families involved as possible.
If you are socializing with others, maintain 6 feet of distance between individuals outside of the immediate family.
If outside for walks, hikes, bike rides, or other activities, it is important to still maintain 6 feet between people beyond immediate family and limit your group size.
The DPH is monitoring the situation closely and participating in national calls with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We will follow the direction from the DPH, the Delaware Department of Education, and other public health experts over the coming months to direct our planning and actions.
You can learn more about coronavirus disease from the Delaware Division of Public Health at de.gov/coronavirus.
Please stay up to date with the latest announcements from Red Clay including our free meal service, online learning resources and tips for talking to your child about COVID-19, at redclayschools.com/covid19.
Thank you for your continued partnership to protect the health of our community.
Sincerely,
Dorrell Green
Superintendent