We are reaching out to you today to inform you of a positive case of COVID-19 at the Drexel School District. This individual was last present in the school on Thursday, October 29, 2020. The District is working with the Cass County Health Department to identify close contacts of the confirmed case. If a student or staff member has been determined to have been in close contact with this individual, you will be contacted with further instructions.
If you are not contacted, there is nothing further you need to do at this time. Close contact is defined as fewer than 6 feet away for more than 15 minutes, regardless of face covering use per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The District is taking all precautions, consistent with the CDC and Cass County Health Department. Due to privacy requirements, we cannot release the name of the individual or details that may identify them.
Appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures are being taken, so there is no need to close our building for additional cleaning.
COVID-19 is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person.
As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to take the following preventive measures:
· Stay home when you are sick
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
· If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
· Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
· As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
· Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
· Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between non-household members and wear a mask in places where maintaining that distance is difficult.
· Stay home when you are sick
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
· If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
· Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
· As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
· Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
· Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between non-household members and wear a mask in places where maintaining that distance is difficult.
Be alert for symptoms including…
· Fever of 100.4° or higher
· Any new cough
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Fatigue
· Muscle or body aches
· Headache
· New loss of taste or smell
· Sore throat
· New congestion or runny nose
· Nausea or vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Close contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
We are continuing to monitor this situation and will provide additional information as needed. If you have any questions regarding COVID, you can contact the Cass County Health Department at 816-380-8425.
Sincerely,
Terry Mayfield
Superintendent
Drexel R-IV School District
· Fever of 100.4° or higher
· Any new cough
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Fatigue
· Muscle or body aches
· Headache
· New loss of taste or smell
· Sore throat
· New congestion or runny nose
· Nausea or vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Close contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
We are continuing to monitor this situation and will provide additional information as needed. If you have any questions regarding COVID, you can contact the Cass County Health Department at 816-380-8425.
Sincerely,
Terry Mayfield
Superintendent
Drexel R-IV School District
