3 Reading Students, Staff Member Test Positive For COVID-19

READING, MA — Three students and one staff member in the Reading Public Schools recently tested positive for the coronavirus, Superintendent John Doherty said this week.

One student attended in-person classes at the Birch Meadow Elementary School, and another was in person at the Coolidge Middle School, according to Doherty. The third, a Reading Memorial High School student, was remote the last two weeks.

Through contact tracing, 11 students have been quarantined at Coolidge, and 12 students and one staff member have been quarantined at Birch Meadow, Doherty said. All impacted classrooms were disinfected through a misting process Tuesday morning and were not used for 24 hours.

The staff member who tested positive works at Joshua Eaton Elementary School. Close contacts have been identified and are quarantining, Doherty said. All impacted classrooms were disinfected through a misting process after staff left on Friday.

The following health and safety measures are in place:

• Staff must monitor themselves for symptoms daily and students, with the assistance of families, must also be monitored daily for symptoms. Staff and students must stay home if feeling unwell.
• Masks are among the most important single measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. We require all students and staff to wear masks that adequately cover both their nose and mouth. Exceptions must be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings.

• Hand hygiene is critical. Students and staff are required to exercise hand hygiene (handwashing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best practice. However, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be substituted when handwashing is not available.
• Physical distance greatly reduces the risk of transmission. Physical distancing is a critical tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The CDC(1) and DPH(2) recommend 6 feet of distance between individuals.
• Cohorts/assigned seating. Students organized in groups/classrooms and other cohorts help mitigate transmission of the virus. Assigned seating is important because it effectively creates even smaller groups within cohorts which minimize transmission. Assigned seats can also assist with contact tracing. Wherever possible, seats should be assigned (including classroom, bus, meals).