November 29, 2021
Dear Staff, Students, and Families,
This letter is to inform you that the Maine CDC has declared Dirigo High School to be in outbreak status. An outbreak means that there are three or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 within a 14-day period that are epidemiologically linked. Outbreaks are preliminarily closed 14-days after the last positive test or symptom onset, whichever is later, and officially closed 28-days after the last positive test or symptom onset date, whichever is later.
We will continue to have in-person learning at DHS during outbreak status.
During outbreak status, all students/staff/teachers of any classroom where a positive case is identified are considered close contacts regardless of the setup of the classroom or face covering use. Close contacts will be asked to quarantine for 10-days from last exposure to the positive individual unless they are vaccinated, participate in pool testing, or have had (confirmed) COVID within the past 90 days. A negative COVID test result does not get an individual out of quarantine.
Please monitor yourself/your student for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start. It is important that you call a healthcare facility before you show up in person. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms include:
• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• muscle or body aches
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
•confusion
• pressure or pain in the chest
• blue/gray-tinged skin/lips/nail beds
• inability to wake or stay awake
Please keep in mind that many things can cause respiratory illness, so students and staff should be up-to-date on influenza and routine vaccinations.
Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper handwashing with soap and warm water, which is especially important after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others. Wear a cloth face covering in public indoor spaces, especially if you are not vaccinated. Cloth face coverings are recommended in schools and childcare settings for people over 5 years of age. Get a COVID vaccine when it is available to you. When in public, avoid social distances of less than 6 feet and direct physical contact.
Questions for the school can be directed to Pam Doyen by calling (207) 562-4251 or emailing pdoyen@rsu56.org. For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Pam Doyen