The Hancock Central School recently received a notice from Delaware County Public Health regarding clarification of when a student has been absent from school for more than 48 hours. This new guidance applies to students that have symptoms of COVID-19 and are absent from school more than 2 days. Please see the text from the Delaware County Department of Health below:

 

Delaware County Public Health (DCPH) would like to clarify the information concerning a student/staff member that is absent from school more than 48 hours with COVID-19 symptoms.

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), issued the Pre-K to Gr 12 COVID-19 Toolkit as a reference guide for schools and local health departments.

The September 2020, New York State Department of Health Pre-K to Grade 12 Toolkit indicates that if a staff member/student is absent for more than 48 hours, with COVID symptoms, and they have not initiated care (scheduled a Doctor’s appointment, or COVID-19 test), then by case definition must be viewed as COVID-19 positive. Subsequently, DCPH is required by NYSDOH to contact parent of student/staff member and begin a contact investigation of the COVID symptomatic person.

If this situation were to occur the DCPH dashboard would differentiate laboratory confirmed positives and case defined (symptomatic) positives. To date all positive cases, have been laboratory confirmed.

Notice: http://delawarecountypublichealth.com/covid-19-school-information/schooltoolkitguidanceinfo/

 

As a reminder, symptoms of COVID-19 are new or worsening:

In order to help Hancock Central Schools comply with the Department of Health regulations, it is very important for all parents or guardians to notify the school health office when a child is absent from school. Please contact either school health office, MS/HS at 607-637-1310 or Elementary at 607-637-1220, for questions or concerns.

 

Sincerely,

Terrance P. Dougherty, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

(607) 637-1301