November 10, 2020
Good afternoon,
The District has been contacted by the Onondaga County Health Department confirming two positive COVID-19 Coronavirus test results. The cases involve West Genesee High School students. The District immediately began supporting the OCHD contact tracing investigation.
The Onondaga County Health Department has a process to identify and notify individuals considered to be close contacts of a person who tests positive. District personnel assist in the health department’s investigation and subsequent communication for any students or staff relative to school-based interaction, including that of mandatory quarantines. Health Department officials follow that contact with official documentation, as applicable. Note: we will not provide personally identifiable information regarding any employees nor students per confidentiality with respect to personnel and provisions of Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) or Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
The students were last in attendance on Friday, November 6, 2020. At the conclusion of these investigations, the Onondaga County Health Department determined a mandatory quarantine period for 60 students and 10 staff members from West Genesee High School.
Given the positive cases and quarantine orders that have come to our attention over the last 24 hours, all West Genesee High School students will learn in a fully remote format beginning Thursday, November 12 through and including Friday, November 20. Students should expect to follow their typical class schedules during this time and teachers will be in contact with more specific information. BOCES program will continue in-person as scheduled for all students not under mandatory quarantine.
All other students and staff will continue their regular schedule of in-person learning.
As a reminder, the District’s cleaning staff will continue its regular deep cleaning and sanitizing practices in all buildings.
Families should continue to monitor for symptoms. As a reminder, per the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Fever 100.0 F or greater / or chills
- New loss of taste or smell
- Headache
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Muscle or body aches
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Congestion or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Nausea or Vomiting
Please see our school nurses’ health resources as listed on westgenesee.org for information and procedures.
The District continues to take precautions to protect the health and safety of its students and employees. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and communicate updates, if necessary. We appreciate your support and understanding on this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school health office, main office, or the WGCSD District Office.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools