Message From Belmont Public Schools' Superintendent

Press release from Belmont Public Schools:

November 16, 2020

Dear Members of the Belmont Public Schools Community,

"I write to inform you about two new cases of confirmed COVID-19 in our school community. We received confirmation from the Belmont Department of Health today, 11/16/2020, regarding these cases.

This is what we know for certain at this time:

• The Department of Health received confirmation of a laboratory testing report indicating that two school community members (i.e., student or staff) at Belmont High School have been diagnosed with positive cases of COVID-19.
  • These cases are unrelated to each other.
  • Both cases involve “remote only” community members who did not enter the building during his/her infectious period.
• According to MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) guidelines, the infectious period used for determining close contacts for COVID-19 is two days prior to becoming symptomatic or, if asymptomatic, two days prior to testing, up until the time the student/staff/teacher is isolated.
  • In both cases, no close contacts were identified among the school community.

If you have any questions or concerns about the investigation process, protocols, or contact tracing please refer to: Health and Safety Protocols.

We will continue to be vigilant in adhering to all of the protocols that have been put in place in an effort to continue our current educational program.

I am grateful for the proactive, swift, and responsive measures that have been taken by the Belmont Health Department and our Nursing Department to ensure the safety of everyone in the Belmont Public Schools community, and I thank you for your partnership.

We wish all members of our community continued good health. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns."

Respectfully,

John P. Phelan
Superintendent of Schools

CC: J. Darias, Assistant Superintendent
B. Rumley, BPS Director of Nursing
W. Chin, Belmont Health Department
I. Taylor, BHS Principal

This press release was produced by the Belmont Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.