Students at Oakwood Grade School will be learning remotely for three days as local public health officials work to identify students and staff who were exposed to COVID-19 after “individual(s)” tested positive on Aug. 29, a letter from Superintendent Larry Maynard said Sunday.
“ The health and safety of Oakwood C.U.S.D. #76 students and staff is our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health,” Maynard wrote.
To prevent further spread of the disease, Oakwood Grade School is taking the following steps:
- Temporary closure of Oakwood Grade School and transition to Remote Learning on August 31, Sept. 1, and Sept. 2 to identify and notify close contacts (i.e., persons who were within six feet of a COVID-positive individual for 15 minutes or longer). Staff will report to the Grade School for Remote Instruction.
- Placing staff members and students who are identified as having prolonged close contact to the COVID-19 case(s) in quarantine for 14 days. Close contacts will also receive a separate notification from the Vermilion County Department of Public Health.
- Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks.
- Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
- Other actions: Based on Guidance of the VCDPH and the Regional Office of Education.
The Oakwood School District began school with a hybrid learning model on Aug. 27. Students and staff have been required to wear face coverings at all times and sanitizing procedures were put into place.
