District COVID Update 1.12.21

January 12, 2021

 Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Families,

 The Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notified me this afternoon that both Willard School and Sanford Middle School are in outbreak status because there have been three positive COVID-19 cases within a 14 day period.  An individual tested positive at Willard School this morning and was last in school on Friday, January 8th.  Two individuals tested positive at Sanford Middle School and were last in school on Tuesday, December 22nd . Individuals associated with Carl J Lamb School (CJL) and Margaret Chase Smith School (MCS) also tested positive today.  In all cases, school officials have completed the necessary contact tracing and notified all school contacts.  

The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) in partnership with the Maine CDC recently revised Standard Operating Procedures for positive COVID-19 cases in schools.  Schools in outbreak status do not automatically have to close and go to full remote learning.  Since tomorrow is Wednesday, Sanford schools will operate under the normal Wednesday schedule with no in-person learning.  There is a team meeting scheduled tomorrow with the Maine CDC and MDOE to review the situation in Sanford and determine next steps.  I will send an update as soon as possible.

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