2 Reading Students, Staff Member Test Positive For Coronavirus

READING, MA — Two students and a staff member in the Reading Public Schools have tested positive for COVID-19, the district announced Tuesday. Neither student was in school last week under the phased-in hybrid model, and the staff member, who works at the high school, did not have any direct contact with staff or students, Superintendent John Doherty said.

Close contacts in a school setting are defined as people who are within six feet of a student or staff member for at least 15 minutes in a classroom, in other school spaces, on the bus or at an extra-curricular activity.

Doherty said contact tracing has been completed, and any close contacts have been notified and will be followed up by the Reading Board of Health. The district has not received any reports of other students or staff members experiencing illnesses with symptoms resembling those of coronavirus.

Students and staff are encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.
• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
• As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some people with coronavirus have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some situations, the virus can develop into pneumonia.

Those seeking medical care should call their medical provider to report their illness prior to seeking care at a clinic, physician's office or hospital. Parents of students exhibiting flu-like symptoms or staff exhibiting flu-like symptoms are asked to contact their physician.