Covid-19 Case Increase - Update and Fact Check
by Greg Marino
What a beautiful day it has been to welcome some of our soon-to-be Kindergarteners and their families at Allen Brook School! Watching ABS Principal, Angela Filion, along with ABS faculty and staff, as they welcome these young ones with their parents outside has been a therapeutic and welcome reminder of days to come and the promise of a new school year and a hopeful return to some of the traditions we have missed over the last 13 months.
On a more present-minded note, I am sure you have noticed the significant increase in the number of positive cases our school community has experienced over the last three weeks as well as the corresponding increase in quarantines and remote instruction for certain teams. The questions and concerns that have come my way via email or phone in recent days are a good indicator that families would benefit from an update about what we are experiencing and how we are responding to the recent increase in positive cases.
Is Covid-19 spreading at school?
What we know about the cases relative to transmission trends is that our schools are a reflection of the communities we serve. When community spread ticks up, as we have seen in Chittenden County over the past month, we anticipate seeing a corresponding increase in cases coming into our school buildings. Fortunately, our mitigation efforts in our schools continue to prove effective at stopping the spread once it enters our buildings.
The Epidemiology Team at the COVID branch of the Vermont DOH looks at all school cases very closely, especially when there are multiple cases involved. They complete thorough investigations to determine if there is a possibility of in-school transmission. Currently we do not have any cases that have been determined to be in-school transmission, with one possible exception in the month of January. The cases so far have been linked to household transmission with the most common pattern being transmission from an adult to a child living in the same household. If an in-school transmission or an outbreak (3 or more cases linked together) was ever confirmed by the Epidemiology Team, the school is required to notify the families and take appropriate steps suggested by the Department of Health.
Do all close contacts have to quarantine for the same length of time? How come some individuals seem to be out for fewer days than others?
The timeline for quarantining has been established by the Vermont Department of Health based on current research and understanding of the incubation period of the virus and how it spreads. In Vermont, we rely on a team of contact tracers who interview the positive person and establish the individual timeline for each COVID case. Based on that individual’s timeline, our school team works with the Department of Health to determine what that timeline looks like in school and what the necessary quarantine, testing and remote timelines will be. Though each case is unique, all individuals identified as close contacts are required to quarantine for 7 days from the last day of possible exposure to the person who was potentially infectious (known as day zero), at which point they must take a PCR Covid test and remain in quarantine until negative results are received. These negative results must be shared with our health office before the individual is allowed back in school. Due to the particulars of a case, however, the exposure is sometimes not known until days after it occured which results in different amounts of school days missed. The quarantine requirement is consistently applied as directed by the VT DOH.
Here is a great visual about exposure and quarantine
What is the school doing to prevent transmission at school?
The School continues to be diligent with our protective measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and are pleased to see that the data reflects these measures have been effective.
All adults and students continue to wear masks throughout the school day (with a very few exceptions for students for whom mask-wearing is contraindicated in their individualized Education Plan).
Maintaining 3’ distancing between students and 6’ distancing between adults. Adults also try to maintain 6’ distancing with students, but this is not always possible. Faculty and staff are mindful about making interaction with students inside 3’ or 6’ brief.
Students are encouraged to wash their hands routinely throughout the day.
Students who present with symptoms at school are sent home immediately.
Additional hand sanitation stations have been installed and are used in all common areas of the building, as well as near the tents and play structures outside.
High-contact surfaces are sanitized frequently throughout the day.
Student groupings are established and maintained to minimize the number of close contacts should a positive case be identified.
Seating charts are maintained for all learning settings and the school buses so that accurate contact tracing can occur in the event of a positive case.
The school building remains closed to the public, including evening use.
Drinking fountains are disabled (bottle fillers remain functional).
What can I do as a parent to help?
Please adhere to all health guidelines published by the VT DOH, including recommendations for safe and responsible gatherings and travel.
Please do not send your child to school with any symptoms of illness.
Please be sure that your child has a number of comfortable masks that they are used to wearing. Send your child with a spare mask in the event that one gets soiled or wet. (Students will always be given a mask at school if they forget one or need a back up.)
Please let the school nurse know if you have any information about possible exposure to Covid 19 for any member of your household, or frequent contacts.
Please reach out with questions if you are not sure how to handle a covid-related situation or if you are worried or concerned about a recent case.
In summary, we share your concerns about the recent increase in cases, while remaining confident that the measures, systems, and procedures in place are doing an effective job of preventing the spread of this virus at school. We know how precious the opportunity is to maintain in-person instruction for all our students and will continue our efforts to minimize the impact of this virus on student learning. As always, I am grateful for our partnership and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns.
