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Important Information Regarding COVID-19

September 13, 2021

Good Afternoon ConVal Community,

We were informed today of three positive cases of COVID-19. Two were at Great Brook School (GBS), and the other was at ConVal High School (CVHS).

We are actively working with and following guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS). NH DHHS provides support identifying individuals who qualify as having had close contact with the infected person. The individuals who were identified as having close contact have been notified. 

Because the staff and students at GBS and CVHS continue to do a wonderful job of implementing the mitigation strategies outlined in our Reopening and Recovery Plan, there is no need to change our instructional mode at this point in time.

The current recommendation from NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) for people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 in the school setting is to: 

For 14 days from the last day of exposure:

  • Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and
  • Wear a mask in indoor public settings and 
  • Consider testing 3-5 days following the last day of exposure
  • If your child develops symptoms, please isolate them at home and seek testing for COVID-19. 

Symptomatic students or staff are allowed to return to school when one of the following two conditions is met: 

  • Person receives an FDA-approved COVID-19 test that is negative, the person’s symptoms are improving, AND they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours off any fever-reducing medications.
    • Approved tests include: 
      • A PCR-based molecular test
      • Antigen testing conducted within an appropriate number of days since symptom onset
  • Person has met CDC criteria for ending home isolation (i.e., if a person is not tested, they are assumed to be COVID-19 positive). 

Our district is working closely with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) to follow the guidance they have provided for these situations and will provide updates should their recommendations change. 

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, the NH DHHS is recommending the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:

  • Get vaccinated, for those who are eligible. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid high risk locations, especially ones that are indoors and crowded, and where people are unable to maintain physical distance from others. 
  • If there is substantial community transmission in your area, wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas. 
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. 
  • Stay home and seek testing if you have a fever or are not feeling well. 

To learn more about COVID-19, please check these resources:  

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.covid19.nh.gov/welcome  

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Best,

Ann Forrest

Assistant Superintendent