FALMOUTH, Maine — Falmouth Superintendent Geoff Bruno said Sunday a person associated with Falmouth High School has tested positive for COVID-19. On Wednesday, he said a second person associated with the school has tested positive.
Bruno said anyone who is considered a close contact will be notified.
"The Maine CDC has advised us to proceed with in-person schooling and continue to follow our “yellow” hybrid blended learning schedule," Bruno wrote in an update posted to the district's website Sunday. "We will update the school community with any new information as necessary."
Since Sunday, Bruno has not indicated the school will divert from its hybrid learning plan.
According to Bruno, the first person who tested positive presented symptoms late Thursday night and did not attend school on Friday. He also said the person has not entered the school campus since Tuesday, Sept. 15, more than 48 hours prior to becoming symptomatic.
"Typically, the infectious period (symptomatic cases) is two days before symptom onset per CDC. We are pleased that our screening system was effective: the person was contacted, kept out of school, and tested for COVID 19," Bruno said. "We were able to contact the Maine CDC and DOE immediately and are following their guidance directly."
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms include:
- fever or chills
- Cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- muscle or body ache headache
- new loss of taste or smell
- congestion or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Bruno said questions for specific schools in the district can be directed to the schools' nurses:
- Kellie Schimelman / Falmouth Elementary School - kschimelman@falmouthschools.org
- Lindsay Wissink / Falmouth Elementary School -lindsay.wissink@falmouthschools.org
- Jean Barbour / Falmouth Middle School - jbarbour@falmouthschools.org
- MaryBeth Bachman / Falmouth High School - mbachman@falmouthschools.org
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