Three Covid-19 cases confirmed at Oceanside High School

School closed today and tomorrow

Posted

Oceanside High School is closed today and tomorrow — Oct. 8 and 9 — after two students and one staff member from the high school tested positive for Covid-19 since Monday, Oct. 6, according to the Oceanside School District.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Phyllis Harrington sent three separate letters on Oct. 6 and 7 after each individual who tested positive informed the district. District officials then notified the Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH), which began contact tracing to alert anyone who may have been exposed by the infected students and staff members.

After the first two cases, one on Oct. 6 and one on Oct. 7, the high school remained open. However, after the third case was reported on Oct. 7, the district decided to close the school and move to a remote schedule for Thursday and Friday.

“We recognize that this time frame is concerning,” Harrington wrote, “and as a result we have decided that all Oceanside High School students will learn from home for the next two days.”

The student and staff member who tested positive were last in the school on Friday, Oct. 2. The district did not disclose when the last student to test positive was last in the building. The district noted that the first student does not have siblings in any of the schools.

“The NCDOH has stressed that exposure is limited to anyone who was within six feet of the individual for 10 minutes or more,” Harrington wrote. “Covid-19 is transmitted through person-to-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets.”

Harrington urged parents and students to practice social distancing and wear masks “outside of the school environment” to keep families safe. The letter also noted that the symptoms of Covid-19 include:

  • Fever 
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • New loss of smell or taste
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

If a student or family member exhibits these symptoms, they are urged to contact a medical provider for advice immediately.

“Please know that there is nothing more important than the health and safety of our students and staff,” Harrington added. “The district is committed to following all of the necessary protocols to limit student and staff exposure and will continue to thoroughly clean and disinfect all buildings each evening as outlined in our Reopening Plan.

“We will work closely with the Nassau County Department of Health,” she concluded, “and update you if new information becomes available.”