Superintendent's Weekly Update---12/11/2020


 

Hello,


I hope and trust that everyone had a good week. Below are some updates I wanted to share. I am optimistic that we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, it is very faint, but it is there. We must persevere a bit longer during the next couple of months and follow the guidelines that have been outlined to get through this. I hope that by the end of the year my newsletters have nothing to do with COVID; as I am confident that you do as well.


Rapid Covid Testing:

The Douglas Public Schools will soon be able to offer rapid COVID-19 testing for symptomatic staff and students participating in any type of in-person instruction. If you have not already received an email from Project Beacon (a third party non-profit organization contracted to compile consent for testing and to share test results), please be on the lookout for it. Please use the Project Beacon as the primary method to give us consent, the paper copy should be used for people who are struggling connecting to the site. The consent form and the email can be found in the attached link. 

New Guidance on Close Contacts:

Recently there was new guidance released on people who have been identified as a close contact of a COVID positive case. This comes from the Department of Public Health and DESE. The updated guidance states a close contact must remain quarantined for:

  • At least 14 days from the date of last exposure; or

  • At least 10 days, provided all of the following are satisfied:

    • You have not had, and do not have, any symptoms;

    • You are tested on day 8 of your quarantine period or later using a molecular diagnostic test (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) to detect the presence of the virus;

    • You receive a negative test result; and

    • You monitor yourself for symptoms for the full 14 days. If you develop symptoms, you should contact your health care provider and be re-tested.

Safety Protocols:

People have been great in schools and in the community with these safety protocols and keeping us informed. We need this to stay open. We can not get a false sense of security with what we have seen and must continue to follow the guidelines below:


  1. Avoid large social gatherings

  2. Wear a mask

  3. Practice social distancing

  4. Wash your hands frequently

  5. Follow the guidance set forth by the Governor

  6. If the Board of Health calls, please answer and provide them with the information they need

  7. If you are sick, stay home

  8. If you live with someone that is symptomatic, stay home until they test negative


I really would like to highlight the last two:

If you are sick, stay home

If you live with someone that is symptomatic, stay home until they test negative



Travel Advisory:

Below is the travel advisory that has been in place for Massachusetts for the last few months. Schools have had to recently close as a result of people not following the travel advisory, I include it here again as a reminder, especially over the next few weeks. 

All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:


If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day


For more information here is the link:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order


This week's data show:

Douglas's Average Daily Case Rate: 31.6 

Douglas's 14 Day Percent Positivity Rate: 6.69%

MA  Positivity Rate -5.7%


Last week's data show:

Douglas's Average Daily Case Rate: 23.3 

Douglas's 14 Day Percent Positivity Rate: 5.21%

MA  Positivity Rate -5.3%


Link To COVID Dashboard

guidance for families

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