8th Coronavirus Case Reported In Branford Schools

BRANFORD, CT — Schools superintendent Hamlet Hernandez notified families late Friday that an eighth case of COVID-19 has been reported in Branford schools. He did not identify the school in his letter to parents.

Hernandez said the "affected person" was told to stay at home in isolation for 10 days. He said anyone who is considered a “close contact” with this person will or may already have been contacted by school officials and/or public health officials and provided with instructions on the appropriate steps to take.

In collaboration with the East Shore Health Department, the District has determined that there is no reason to close school or cancel in-person classes due to the sufficiency of the District’s current cleaning protocols and mitigation measures.

Hernandez asked that "parents/guardians, students, and staff continue to monitor their health and to stay home and contact their medical provider should they experience any of the symptoms below:"

• Fever (100.4° Fahrenheit or higher)
• Chills or shaking chills
• Uncontrolled new cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• For additional information on COVID-19 symptoms, please see the CDC website at the address below: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

"As anticipated with the onset of cooler weather, our area’s COVID-19 positivity rate has begun to increase. Our school district will continue to monitor the evolving crisis and appreciates your partnership in making choices that help to keep our staff, students, and community safe," Hernandez said.