Ellington Superintendent of Schools Updates Health Alert

Several students became ill after an extra curricular activity at Ellington High School last week, and over the weekend, Superintendent of Schools Stephen Cullinan sent a follow-up note to parents.

It reads:

I write to you as a follow-up to last Friday's communication regarding a health issue at Ellington High School. I have just spoken with Michael Pirro, the Director of the North Central District Health Department. Both the North Central District Health Department and the Connecticut Department of Health have continued their investigation throughout the weekend. Further lab analysis is ongoing and should be completed by Wednesday. At this time, the Connecticut Department of Health and the North Central District Health Department continue to classify the illness as a norovirus. As was communicated last Friday, this continues to be classified as a food to person illness. All cases of this illness have been related to an extracurricular student event on Wednesday evening at the high school. There have been no hospitalizations as a result of this incident.

Both the Connecticut Department of Health and the North Central District Health Department have recommended that there is no need to close school or cancel classes at Ellington High School. As a precautionary measure, our staff has re-sanitized designated areas of the school and will continue to sanitize common contact surfaces. Director Pirro also requested that a reminder regarding good personal hygiene techniques emphasizing washing of hands be communicated to all.

Should there be any changes as a result of the ongoing investigation, an immediate update will be provided to you. Once the entire investigation has been completed, a final communication will also be provided. We are deeply indebted to the Connecticut Department of Health and the North Central District Health Department for their extensive work this weekend and for their ongoing efforts. I am also thankful to the members of our staff who have worked so diligently to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students.

Steve Cullinan

Superintendent of Schools