Brewster Schools Reports Possible Covid-19 Exposure

In a letter to district parents and the community, Brewster Central School District Superintendent, Laurie Bandlow advised the community of a possible exposure to Covid-19 in the district. A copy af the letter is printed below:

"We are writing to inform you that there has been a potential COVID-19 exposure in our district.  In consultation with our school district medical director, we are recommending the following steps:

• Monitor for the following symptoms:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• If 14 days from the date on which we closed our buildings, March 12th, pass without you or your child experiencing these clinical symptoms, any symptoms related to COVID-19 would not be related to this particular exposure(s).

If you or your child start to develop any concerning symptoms, it is important that you alert your own health care provider.  If anyone has questions about COVID they can pursue the following contacts:

• Call 211
• Email COVID19@putnamcountyny.gov
• Call the NYSDOH COVID 19 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065

As you may already be aware, an increasing number of cases have been identified in Putnam County as well as our surrounding counties (Westchester and Dutchess County NY, as well as Fairfield and Litchfield County CT).  We as a district continue to maintain close and ongoing collaboration with our district physician and the Putnam County Department of Health. We are staying attuned to daily updates provided by the CDC, Putnam County, and the New York State Education Department.

While the CDC reports there is much to learn about COVID-19, they believe person-to-person spread has occurred mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.  Spread between people is believed to occur between close contact. For confirmed COVID-19 infections, reported illnesses have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill. 

The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.  Everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health concern, and at the same time respond to the current flu and respiratory disease season, by following these everyday preventative measures:

• Follow the directives outlined in Governor Cuomo’s “New York State on PAUSE” executive order (attached).
• Social Distancing (see attached Putnam County Department of Health documents)
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands as this is a primary disease entry point.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow or with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you have attended any large gatherings, such as a wake, funeral, or wedding, the potential for exposure raises exponentially. 

Respectfully,

Laurie Bandlow, Ed.D.