Wallingford Schools Cleaned Out Of Caution For Coronavirus

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford elementary school received a thorough cleaning Sunday “out of an abundance of caution” after officials learned that a staff member has a family member who was seen by the doctor in Bridgeport that was diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

Superintendent of Schools Salvatore Menzo notified parents Sunday that two schools in the district have staff members who are related to the same person who was seen by the doctor in Bridgeport Hospital. The family member hasn’t been diagnosed with COVID-19, nor have they exhibited any symptoms of the virus, according to Menzo.

Menzo first notified parents in an email Sunday afternoon that a staff member at Cook Hill Elementary school was related to someone who was seen by the doctor at Bridgeport Hospital.

“The staff member’s family member has not been diagnosed with the virus nor exhibited any symptoms of the virus and neither has our staff member,” Menzo said in a joint message with Stephen Civitelli, director of the Wallingford Health Department. “As a precautionary measure, we contacted the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) who reviewed the facts of this situation and advised us that our staff member does not constitute a risk related to the virus.”

Menzo said Cook Hill would be open Monday and “out of an abundance of caution” a thorough cleaning of the school was conducted on Sunday. (Don't miss updates in Connecticut concerning the Coronavirus as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.)

In a follow-up message Sunday night, Menzo said officials learned that a staff member at Parker Farms Elementary School was related to the same person who was seen by the doctor in Bridgeport Hospital.

“This second individual, like the first, also has not been diagnosed with the virus and has no symptoms,” Menzo said. “Nevertheless, we again contacted the local and State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). DPH’s assessment of the facts of this situation remains that these staff members do not constitute a risk related to the virus.”

Menzo said that Parker Farms received a “thorough cleaning of all high touch surfaces” on Friday night and would also be open on Monday.

“We remain appreciative of your cooperation and support as we deal with these emerging matters of this type,” Menzo said.

Menzo recently notified parents that the district would be “proactive in its planning” related to the new coronavirus, including “increasing the sanitary precautions in all schools and district buildings (wiping down door knobs, desktops and flat surfaces).”

The district is also “reviewing all field trips and canceling those that are of significant concern for student and staff safety and reviewing instructional opportunities “in the event that schools need to be closed for short or extended periods of time.”