Superintendent’s letter, Jan. 14: New COVID cases

Dear parents/guardians,

The district learned on Thursday, Jan. 14 that a student enrolled at the Elementary School; an Elementary School staff member; and a student in the Jr./Sr. High School have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Contact tracing for all three cases is underway.

Please note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive or who is presumed to be positive. 

Precautionary quarantines are being put into effect for all individuals impacted by the two cases in the Elementary School and those impacted due to bus transportation. In regards to the Jr./Sr. High School case, the entire grade of the positive student is being sent home early. Families are being individually contacted in regards to all three situations.

Since the start of the school year, the district has been thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all portions of our school building that are in use by students and staff, in accordance with guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the CDC. For details about our cleaning procedures, COVID prevention policies, contact tracing, testing and more, please see our Reopening Plan. Please contact your child’s principal if you would like more information about our health and safety procedures. 

If you are interested in the up-to-date total of cases at Schoharie CSD, both onsite and offsite, please visit the state’s School COVID Report Card at https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov/#/home.

Any additional questions, including information about contact tracing and testing procedures, can be directed to the Schoharie County Health Department (518) 295-8365.

Sincerely,

David Blanchard