August 28, 2020
Dear Families and Staff:
This letter is to inform you that a student at Newton Community High School has tested positive for COVID-19. We also want to make everyone aware that we do have several students throughout the district that are on quarantine at this point due to close contact with a COVID positive individual. We continue to coordinate our efforts with the Jasper County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of ALL students and staff in our district is our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health.
As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms[1]. Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms[2] should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, school/daycare, and your local health department.
We understand how frustrating this all is and we are doing the best we can to keep everyone safe. Please, please help us fight this virus by everyone following the same guidelines we have set for our students, when you are out in the public. It will take all of us as a County to help our students attend school in-person and be provided the educational opportunities we all want for them. We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact us at 783-8459.
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER – PLEASE HELP US!!!!
#weareoneinflight
Sincerely,
Andrew D. Johnson
[1] 1 Symptoms of COVID-19 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.
[2] 2 Severe symptoms of COVID-19 include: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.
