MCS, CJL and SHS COVID Cases Announcement 11.23.20

November 23, 2020

 Dear Faculty, Staff, Students and Families,

This letter is to inform you that individuals associated with Margaret Chase Smith School (MCS), Carl J Lamb School (CJL) and Sanford High School (SHS) have tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals at MCS and SHS tested positive this morning and the individual at CJL tested positive over the weekend. Maine CDC and school representatives have already initiated contact with anyone identified as a close contact of these individuals.  All close contacts are required to quarantine for 14 days from last exposure to the positive individual.  A negative test result does not get an individual out of quarantine.

I must stress that COVID-19 community spread is on the rise. Please be mindful and limit the people you come in contact with outside of your household. Please wear masks, social distance, sanitize your hands regularly, and continue to monitor yourself and your family members for symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start.  Together our preventive steps can protect the health of our students, school personnel, and the Sanford community.

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 or 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