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Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Watkins Mill Elementary School

August 4, 2021

Dear Watkins Mill Elementary School community, 

This letter is to inform you that an individual at Watkins Mill Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.

All students and staff in the classroom or grade-level with the student who tested positive are advised to enter quarantine for 10-days, or until they test negative for COVID-19 and have not been identified as a direct contact of an individual positive for COVID-19, whichever comes first.  Students whose parents were contacted directly by WMES should not return to school tomorrow or Friday.

Right now, there are no known additional cases of COVID-19 at Watkins Mill Elementary School.  Those who did not have direct contact with the person or classroom do not need to get tested for COVID-19 or quarantine at this time.

Per the Center for Disease Control, direct contact is defined as:  

  1. being within 6 feet or less for 15 or more minutes (within a 24-hour period) of an individual with COVID-19, or 
  2. having direct contact with the infectious secretions from an individual with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed on). 

Please note: The definition of “close contact” does not include individuals on the same floor or in the same building as a positive individual, unless they also meet criteria (1) or (2). 

As a reminder, here are the steps that we can take to keep ourselves, families and school community safe:

  • Wear a mask, or appropriate face covering, at all times when in school and other public spaces.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before and after eating. 
  • Cover your cough and/or sneeze and immediately wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
  • Practice physical distancing and keep 6 feet away from others when possible.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Visit https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus
  •   and https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COVID19 for additional information. 

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain a safe and healthy school environment.  If you have questions, please contact me at the school.

Sincerely,

Deborah R. Higdon, Acting principal

 

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