Another Brookline Parent Tests Positive For Coronavirus

BROOKLINE, MA — A parent at the Baker School has tested positive for coronavirus, according to the superintendent's office Sunday. That brings the number of residents who have tested presumptive positive in Brookline to three.

The announcement comes the same day that the town announced it was closing playgrounds and the governor declared schools be closed for three weeks starting Tuesday.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said there were 164 cases across the commonwealth as of Sunday afternoon, including 45 cases confirmed by the CDC.

Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency on March 10. Then, on March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. The pandemic declaration refers to the scope of the new coronavirus — but not its severity — and means it has become a "worldwide spread of a new disease." On March 13, President Donald Trump declared the pandemic a National Emergency.
Local health officials say the next two weeks are critical for slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Officials are recommending residents practice social distancing, or remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining about 6 feet from those who are not in their household when possible.

The letter from Interim Superintendent Ben Lummis:

Dear Baker School Families and Staff,

We were informed late yesterday that a parent at Baker School has tested positive for Covid-19. This parent did not visit the school since his/her exposure to the virus, and no child has tested positive. This family will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days and the Brookline Health Department will be in daily contact with him/her.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) will be in contact with all individuals or families who are considered to have had close contact with this individual. The DPH has no further recommended actions for students or staff who have not been identified as close contacts because these individuals are not at risk. Close contact is defined as physical contact or sharing of airspace within six feet for more than 15 minutes, living in the same household, caring for a person who was diagnosed, or being in direct contact with secretions from a sick person with Covid-19.

The Brookline Health Department reminds you that in the coming days and weeks it is essential to practice safe hygiene and social distancing to limit the spread of infection. Please remember the importance of social and personal distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and not congregating in confined areas. Please consider limiting gatherings to no more than a few children and only if all children and adults are healthy and show no signs of illness. Playing outside and maintaining a distance of six feet is best. Dr. Swannie Jett and the Department of Public Health will share further guidelines about proper care and hygiene for families by Monday.

More information about Covid-19 can be found on our website here, as well as on the Brookline Health Department website here.

Sincerely,
Ben Lummis
Interim Superintendent

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