December 5, 2021
Dear HUUSD Families,
On Sunday, December 5, we learned about a person in our learning community with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Harwood Union High School. No busing was involved with this case. We are beginning the process of contact tracing. All identified close contacts who are fully vaccinated will be notified via email; close contacts for whom we do not have a record of COVID-19 vaccination will be notified by phone. Families at HUHS will be notified once the calls have been completed. We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. In the past few days, our health offices have seen an increased number of students experiencing COVID symptoms. Thank you for taking these symptoms seriously, keeping children home and getting tested if symptoms persist for 24 hours or more.
Vaccinations are available for all Vemonters ages 5 and up. If a person is fully vaccinated, they are not required to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. Vaccination is the best way to avoid missing learning. Learn more about COVID vaccines for children by visiting COVID-19 Vaccines for Children.
People who may have been exposed will be notified:
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated and was in close contact with the person who tested positive may have been exposed to the virus and will be asked to quarantine, which means staying home and away from other people for up to 14 days. Read more about what it means to quarantine.
Unvaccinated individuals who may have been exposed at school may also sign up for the Close Contact Test to Stay Program. All students who are not yet fully vaccinated may participate only if their exposure occurs at school.
Anyone who is fully vaccinated or has recovered from COVID-19 within the past 3 months and was in close contact with the person who tested positive does not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms.
If you are identified as someone who may have been exposed, someone from HUUSD will notify you and will provide information and guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. Please make sure to answer the phone or call them back.
Learn more about what happens when there is a case in a school.
The most important things you can do:
Supporting our learning community
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember that we are all at risk of getting this virus. These “COVID-19 cases” are our friends and family, and we need to be understanding and supportive. People with COVID-19 often experience uncomfortable symptoms and emotional stress. Instead of participating in speculation or gossip, offer to help community members who are affected by quarantine. With creative action from all of us, we will get through this period of anxiety and disruption. We thank you for your investment in the health and wellbeing of our school community.
Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.
We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you.
Many thanks,
Kaiya Korb, Building Based COVID-19 Administrator
