3-4-20

Dear HCSS Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff,

I’m sure you have all heard something on the news about the Coronavirus, and I wanted to provide you with some helpful information.

The virus (COVID-19) was first found in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This virus had not been found in humans before. Coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and trouble breathing or shortness of breath. There are thousands of diagnosed cases in China and new cases being diagnosed in a number of countries, including the United States.

Thus far, cases in Massachusetts have been limited to the Boston area, but medical experts expect that cases in the U.S. (including Massachusetts) will grow before the outbreak subsides.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discussed possible options for what could happen if there is the local person-to-person transmission of the novel coronavirus in the United States, including recommendations for school systems to consider.

At this time, it is important to listen to facts and not respond to fear.

Currently, the national CDC and the local Massachusetts Department of Public Health believe the risk to Massachusetts residents remain low. There are no plans to close schools at this time. That would be an extreme measure that would disrupt day-to-day life. A decision to implement any school closing would be made at the direction of public health experts.

What do we know?

Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working hard to learn as much as possible about this new virus so that we can better understand how it spreads and causes illness. The CDC considers this virus to be a serious public health concern.

Based on current information the CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Italy, Venezuela, and Iran. It also recommends that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions consider postponing nonessential travel to Japan. Updated travel information related to COVID-19 can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china

How Does 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus Spread?

Health experts believe the virus probably spreads from animals to humans and from person-to-person. It’s not clear yet how easily the virus spreads among humans. Coronavirus is not currently a concern for the general public and is not actively circulating in Massachusetts at this time.

Therefore, health experts contend there is no need to keep your children home from school, and there is no need for students or school staff to wear surgical masks at school.

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this virus. Although the risk to Massachusetts residents of the novel coronavirus are low, the risk for influenza is currently high. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) states that many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:

● Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

● Avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth with unwashed hands

● Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands)

● Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others

● Routinely clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces

● CDC recommends that travelers avoid all travel to China

Are visitors from China being screened?

Yes, as of February 2nd new screening protocols are being conducted for individuals entering the U.S. from China at designated airports. PreK-12 schools may have students who attend school and have traveled to various areas in Asia, including China. Students should not be excluded from school or any school activities based on race, country of origin, or recent travel (or a family member’s recent travel), including to any part of China. Schools may only exclude a student if a local health department informs the school that a student must comply with a quarantine order or the student is symptomatic of a communicable or infectious disease pursuant to Education Law §906.

Travelers who return from travel to a country with a COVID-19 outbreak and feel sick are asked to seek medical advice and avoid contact with other people until they are tested.

For more information on the coronavirus, please read the health department’s Frequently Asked Questions (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19), or visit the MDPH’s website(https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health) at any time for important updates. More detailed information can be found on the CDC’s website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html). We will continue to keep you informed about our ongoing efforts regarding the coronavirus.

Sincerely,

Tarkan Topcuoglu

Superintendent/CEO