MCS COVID Announcement 12.10.20

December 10, 2020

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students and Families,

The Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notified me this morning that Margaret Chase Smith School (MCS) is currently considered in outbreak status because there have been four positive cases there within a 14 day period.  Due to the Thanksgiving break, only one of the four was on campus while infectious and the other three were classified as community transmission.  We have consulted with the Maine CDC and while MCS meets the definition of an outbreak, we do not need to close the school. Rest assured that we are following all cleaning protocols and there are currently no staffing issues in this building.  This letter is sent out of an abundance of caution.  We are working closely with the Maine CDC and we will continue to update and adjust our plans as necessary.

 Please continue to monitor yourself and call a health care provider if you experience symptoms.  Remember, it is important that everyone accurately completes the symptom check each day before coming to school and stays home when sick.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe.  The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus.  Signs and symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Questions for the school can be directed to your building administrator.  For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695).  You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org.  Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms.  More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus .

 Sincerely,

 Matt Nelson, Superintendent of Schools