RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy reports that the Raymond School District was informed today that an individual at Lamprey River Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.
The individual who tested positive for the virus is self-isolating in accordance with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol. They will be able to return to school in about 10 days, as long as they have been cleared by DHHS to do so. Under state and federal privacy laws, no further information is available about the individual.
Out of an abundance of caution, one kindergarten class will transition to fully remote learning until Monday, March 29. Additional students and staff will be participating in remote learning to ensure adequate staffing, but were not exposed to the positive individual. All impacted individuals have been contacted. Families will be contacted and given instructions for remote learning.
The district is actively working with and following guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
The district has identified all close contacts of the positive individual. Those who are identified as a close contact (anyone who was within six feet of the infected individual for 10 minutes cumulatively, up to two days before the positive test result) have been directed by the LRES school nurse to get tested and keep themselves or their children quarantined until 10 days following their last possible exposure. If you did not receive a call, this means you have not been identified as a close contact and you are not required to self-quarantine.
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, get a COVID-19 test and stay home until you receive your results. Testing can be done either through your primary healthcare provider or at one of the testing sites located throughout the state.
In addition, to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community, the Raymond 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 percent 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:
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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