Staff Member At Hamden School Tests Positive For Coronavirus

HAMDEN, CT — A staff member at Helen Street School in Hamden has tested positive for the coronavirus, Superintendent of Schools Jody Goeler announced Thursday.

Hamden schools opened on Tuesday after the Board of Education voted to delay the original reopening date of Sept. 8 due to concerns over staffing shortages. The Hamden school district is operating on a hybrid model with students split into different cohorts.

Anyone who has been in “close contact” with the staff member who tested positive for the virus has been notified and the school will remain open for all other students and staff members, according to Goeler.

“Last night I was notified that a member of our school community at Helen Street School has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19),” Goeler wrote in a message to parents and the school community. “I wish to express my profound hope that our staff member experiences a rapid and complete recovery.

“In accordance with our response plan and the guidance provided by the Quinnipiack Valley Health District (QVHD) and the Department of Education, we have taken actions to inform anyone who was in ‘close contact’ and provided them with instructions on the appropriate steps to take. Through our efforts to maintain cohorts and in consultation with QVHD, students and staff members who have not been in close contact are able to remain in school.

“This incident highlights the need for us all to remain vigilant and to continue our efforts to mitigate the risk of this disease.”

Read more from the letter below:

We urge everyone to continue to practice the following preventive measures:

• Wear a face covering (mask) whenever there is a likelihood that you or your family members will be in the presence of others.
• Wash your hands frequently, using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) between yourself and others when outside of your home.
• 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. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze inside the elbow of your arm.
• As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
• Most importantly, use the HPS Daily Health Assessment form to identify any symptoms associated with COVID-19. Contact your school nurse and your medical provider if you or your child experiences any of these symptoms and do not enter the school For additional information please see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronaviru...

We are closely monitoring this situation will provide you with updates as we know more. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.