October 20, 2020
Good afternoon,
The District has been notified by the Onondaga County Health Department that three members of our Transportation Department tested positive for COVID-19 Coronavirus. The District was informed of one of the positive cases on Saturday. Tracing was completed on Sunday and no students were quarantined as a result of that investigation. All District staff were informed of this occurrence. The other two positive cases were made known to the District today. The District immediately began supporting the OCHD contact tracing investigation for three bus runs – two for West Genesee High School and one for Split Rock Elementary. Tracing is complete for the cases and 36 students are impacted. Any students or employees who are required to remain home on Wednesday, October 21 have been contacted by District personnel. All others are in the process of being contacted.
The Onondaga County Health Department has a process to identify and notify individuals considered to be close contacts of the patient(s) who tested positive. District personnel assist in the health department’s investigation for any students or staff relative to school-based interaction. It is important to remember that individuals will be contacted directly by health department officials if there is a need for further action, including any mandated quarantine. We will not communicate 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 employees are in isolation. Any students required to quarantine as a result of the county’s investigation have been or will be notified by District personnel. The families will also be contacted directly by the Onondaga County Health Department. The quarantine will end 14 days after the day of exposure. Health officials will provide specific dates and related information to those impacted based on the outcome of their investigation.
All schools will continue their normal schedule of in-person learning. As a reminder, the District’s cleaning staff will continue its regular deep cleaning and sanitizing practices.
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