Hello, this is Sheri Johnson from HSHMC with an important message.
We were notified today that an individual at our school has tested positive for COVID-19. Due to procedures related to privacy laws, I am limited in what I can say. I urge you to also respect the privacy of our students and staff. HSHMC works with the San Diego Public Health Department to follow up with all cases and symptomatic contacts to identify all exposed persons and recommend home quarantine and testing. If you or your child are not contacted, it means that we have no evidence of direct exposure to you or your child.
Our advice and practice has not changed since the beginning of the pandemic. That is, if your child is feeling ill or has a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, even if symptoms are very minor, please do not send your child to school and consider getting your ill child tested for COVID-19. Students should remain home until a return date is determined in consultation with school personnel based on test results and symptom improvement, and following all applicable state and county health guidelines. They can return immediately if they have a documented chronic illness that explains their current symptoms.
Remember, symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure, can range from mild to severe, and could include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headache, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and new loss of smell or taste. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should be tested. However, many infected people do not develop symptoms, which is why it is recommended that exposed people be tested whether they have symptoms or not.
If your child is well and without any symptoms, please remind them to use their face covering, and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
I know this information is concerning for our students and families. Ensuring the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff members is of the utmost importance to us, and we will continue to follow all public health guidelines strictly.