Ellsworth High School and HCTC Have Confirmed COVID-19 Case [UPDATE]

Ellsworth Superintendent Dan Higgins sent a letter to Staff and Parents on Tuesday, October 20th, notifying them that an individual associated with Ellsworth High School and Hancock County Technical Center recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Ellsworth High School and HCTC will go full remote for 1 day, Wednesday, October 20th.

At around 7:20 p.m. the following Addendum was sent out

Based on information obtained through the contact tracing process, we have identified that there may have been “close contacts” to the individual associated with EHS and HCTC who tested positive for COVID-19 who are associated with Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School. As a result of this additional information, the determination to have a “remote learning day” tomorrow at EHS and HCTC (October 21, 2020) has been extended to all students and staff at EEMS and the Ellsworth Adult Education Program.

Out of an abundance of caution we will also do additional cleaning in rooms at EEMS and the EAE center during the remote learning day. Based on current information, students and staff in all schools will resume with the hybrid schedule on Thursday October 22, 2020.

The full letter is below.

The Ellsworth School Department confirmed, earlier this afternoon, that an individual associated with Ellsworth High School and Hancock County Technical Center recently tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  The individual who tested positive will remain in isolation and quarantine consistent with CDC guidelines.

Out of an abundance of caution, we postponed all co and extra-curricular activities at EHS today.

Also out of an abundance of caution and to permit additional cleaning in the rooms where the infected individual was present, tomorrow (Wednesday October 21, 2020) will be a “remote learning day” for all students and staff at Ellsworth High School and Hancock County Technical Center.  Students and staff will resume with the hybrid schedule on Thursday October 22, 2020.  EEMS and the Ellsworth Adult Education program will continue classes as regularly scheduled.

There is a possibility that other staff or students came in contact with this individual and therefore may have been exposed to the virus.  Any individual who is determined to be a “close contact” with the individual who has tested positive either has been contacted or will be contacted by school or local health officials.  Close contacts will be directed to quarantine for 14 days from the last exposure to the individual who tested positive.  A negative test result does not eliminate the quarantine requirement.

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is spread mainly via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person.  Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include:

Most Common

• Fever (100.4 F/38 C or higher)
• Chills
• Sore Throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Less Common

• Muscle pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Congestion/Runny Nose

Please monitor yourself and your student for these signs and symptoms and contact your health care provider if symptoms start.  Students or staff exhibiting any of the above symptoms, or feeling ill, should contact their medical provider to report their symptoms and inquire about testing prior to seeing in-person care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital.

The Maine CDC recommends measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  These measures include wearing a face covering, proper regular handwashing with soap and warm water, maintaining physical distancing, use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water is not available, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and avoid close contact with those who are sick.

In accord with privacy guidelines, no additional information regarding the individual who tested positive can be shared.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will notify you if there are any changes.  If you have any questions, please contact EHS/HCTC School Nurse Jacquie Sandone at 207-667-4722 or me (Dan Higgins) at 207-664-7100