Bedford Coronavirus: Student, Town Hall Staff Member Quarantined

BEDFORD, MA — A Bedford Town Hall staff member and a Bedford High School student are in quarantine this week after being exposed to people who tested presumptive positive for the new coronavirus called COVID-19.

Bedford Public Schools superintendent Jon Sills said in a statement on March 7 that the student's father received a presumptive positive test result for the COVID-19 virus after attending a Biogen employee conference. The student's mother later tested presumptive positive as well.

Patch reported earlier in the week that three of the roughly 175 attendees at the Biogen conference at Boston Marriott tested positive at state labs for coronavirus.

According to Sills' letter, the student's symptoms were not present during school last week but that "...overt, impactful, and pervasive symptoms consistent with the illness occurred outside of the school environment."

The situation, he stated, remains "extremely fluid." Sills said the school will provide further updates once results of the student's COVID-19 test are confirmed.

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

The Town of Bedford also announced a town hall staff member had come into contact with a person who tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 during a conference last week.

The staff member has been directed to self-quarantine. According to a statement from the town, the staffer is not symptomatic and has not been tested for the new coronavirus.

As a precaution, the school provided a cleaning crew on March 8 and 9 to disinfect bathrooms, classrooms, railings, door knobs, the cafeteria, the auditorium and all common areas.

Town hall and the school have cancelled, postponed or otherwise reconfigured all public meetings. The school has also postponed its March 11 performance of Legally Blonde and is exploring the possibility of a small-audience showing that would allow for social distancing.

The school also announced it has cancelled EdCamp and sports banquets and postponed the Tenacity Challenge.

Read more:

• Americans Over 60 Should Hunker Down To Avoid Coronavirus: CDC
• America’s Coronavirus Virus: Psychology Of Panic And Stockpiling
• Coronavirus And The Prospect Of Working From Home: Helpful Tips
• Coronavirus: Tips To Prepare Your Home
• EPA Lists Disinfectants To Fight Coronavirus
• Coronavirus Guide: Avoiding COVID-19 On Campus
• Watch Out For Coronavirus Scams
• Common-Sense Reasons Not To Panic Over Coronavirus