Families Should Be Proactive As COVID-19 Cases Rise: Superintendent

Columbia MD

16 May, 2022

2:59 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As the school year wraps up in a month for the Howard County Public School System, the superintendent recently reminded parents, students and staff to "remain vigilant when it comes to health and safety" while COVID-19 cases rise in the district and county. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed Howard County in the medium community transmission level. "There has been an uptick of COVID-19 cases in some of our schools, across Howard County and throughout the state. We continue to monitor the data very closely and work with the Howard County Health Department to assess the environment in our schools. At this time, we have no plans to return to hybrid or fully virtual instruction, nor have we been given direction to reinstitute a mask mandate," HCPSS Superintendent Martin Martirano said. He noted that student/staff positive case numbers are "slightly up systemwide" and there have been a "handful" of school- and/or grade-specific outbreaks as defined by the Maryland Department of Health. Staff and families are notified when there are new positive cases or an outbreak, he noted. "Now, so close to the end of the school year, is not the time to let our guard down. Please conduct daily health checks and do not send your child to school if they exhibit symptoms associated with any communicable disease, including COVID-19," Martirano said. "Health professional guidance continues to place a great importance on receiving vaccinations and keeping up-to-date on boosters. Masks are voluntary in HCPSS buildings and remain available at our schools and offices." Health services staff in schools are still providing diagnostic testing for symptomatic students and staff. Last month, the district provided every staff and student who wanted one with an at-home COVID-19 testing kit. Dr. Maura J. Rossman, Howard County's health officer, recently shared a list of tips and suggestions for residents: Wear a mask while indoors during times of increased COVID-19 cases in the community or in an outbreak setting, especially if you or a family member are at increased risk. Have a plan for testing by keeping some rapid antigen kits at home and staying aware of available Howard County COVID-19 testing sites. Stay home if symptomatic and get tested with PCR or a rapid antigen test. If using a rapid antigen test and you test negative but are still symptomatic, repeat with another rapid antigen or PCR test. Test if exposed to someone with COVID-19 according to the CDC COVID-19 testing guidelines. Quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19, if not up to date on vaccination. Isolate if positive or symptomatic (without another diagnosis or negative test). Follow CDC isolation and quarantine recommendations for the duration of isolation and quarantine and wear a mask around others for 10 days. Contact your medical provider or go to https://covid-19-test-to-treat... regarding potential treatment if you test positive. Visit the Howard County vaccine locator to stay up to date with vaccines and boosters to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.