MARION — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Marion Town Administrator James McGrail and Marion Board of Health Chair Edward Hoffer report that the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 was informed today of a positive case of COVID-19 at the Sippican School in Marion.
An individual at the Sippican School has tested positive for the virus and is self-isolating in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol. The individual has not been in school since Wednesday, Oct. 7. Under state and federal health privacy laws, no further information is available about the individual.
Contact tracing is being conducted by the Marion Board of Health and thus far it has been determined that the individual did not have any close contacts that directly impact the school district.
All ORR schools will be in session in the normal fashion on Tuesday, Oct. 13, including the Sippican School, which is operating with a hybrid learning model.
Out of an abundance of caution, the school district conducted a deep and thorough sanitization and disinfection of the Sippican School today. All ORR schools are cleaned everyday after school.
The positive case is the first involving an individual in the school district since schools reopened last month.
“With this being our first positive COVID-19 case in the district since the beginning of the new school year, we wanted to make everyone aware of the situation and assure families that we are following all local and state health protocols,” Superintendent Nelson said. “The health, safety and well-being of all of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority and we will continue to update families as we have new situations that arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Superintendent Nelson and Marion officials urge all families and residents to continue to remain vigilant about social distancing, wearing masks when in public and practicing proper hygiene.
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, chills, respiratory illness, aches or change in taste and smell, please stay home and get a COVID-19 test. Testing can be done either through your primary healthcare provider or at one of the testing sites located throughout the state.
Deep cleaning of all schools will continue to be conducted each night. High touch surfaces are and will continue to be cleaned frequently and as needed throughout the day while the buildings are occupied. Sanitizing wipes remain available in each classroom to wipe down desks when necessary.
In addition, to prevent further spread of the disease in the community, the Old Rochester Regional School District asks that students, families and staff take the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:
- Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well. Students should stay home from school should any new or unexplained illness, no matter how mild, develop. This precaution is meant to keep all staff and students safe.
- 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 close contact with others. When outside your home, please adhere to social distancing guidelines and keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
- 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.
Children may worry about themselves, their family and friends getting sick with COVID-19. Tips for talking to children about COVID-19 can be found here.
To learn more about COVID-19, please check these trusted resources:
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