More individuals in Darien Public Schools have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in a total of 43 quarantines, including the 39 others who were in close enough contact to have caught the coronavirus, district officials said on Saturday.
The school district’s COVID Response Team was notified about the new test results on Saturday, according to an email from schools Superintendent Alan Addley and Alicia Casucci, director of nursing services for the district. The email received by Darienite.com was sent at 8:45 p.m., Saturday.
Three of the positive COVID-19 tests were for Darien High School individual, resulting in a total of 32 quarantines. The other positive test was for a Middlesex Middle School individual, resulting in 11 quarantines, including that individual. The district doesn’t distinguish between adults and students in its COVID-19 reports.
All quarantines last 10 days.
On Thursday, March 24, before the above positive tests were known to the district, Superintendent Addley told parents and district employees that eight COVID-19 cases had been found, resulting in a total of 94 quarantines at Darien High School and Hindley School.
The next day, Addley wrote to the school district community: “The significant increase in COVID cases, contact tracing, the number of people quarantined, and disruptions to school schedules this week is a reminder that we are not out of the woods.
“It is also a reminder that we should not become complacent about our everyday behaviors and commitment to keeping each other safe by exercising travel, and health practices consistent with” the recommendations of state and federal health authorities.
Addley also said: “Unfortunately, some students have been quarantined several times over the past few weeks and sometimes consecutively. It is our observation that most cases continue to originate from home, community and sports-related gatherings and activities.”
First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, in her Code Red message to town residents on Thursday, said: “We are all anxious for the pandemic to be behind us but current local trends require a recommitment to adhering to all safety rules — wearing masks, distancing and washing hands — and to staying home and getting tested if you or a family member has any symptoms that could be COVID-19.”
Full Text of the School District’s Message
Dear Parents and Community Members:
Today, March 27, 2021, the Darien Public Schools District COVID Response Team was notified about four (4) individuals who tested positive for COVID-19.
The affected individuals have been instructed to remain home in self-isolation for ten (10) days from the date of their positive test.
All family members have also been instructed to self-quarantine and get tested.
Location |
Last Day in Building |
Contact Tracing: Additional Individuals Quarantined |
DHS Case #1 |
3.22.21 |
12 |
DHS Case #2 |
3.23.21 |
10 |
DHS Case #3 |
3.24.21 |
7 |
MMS #1 |
3.23.21 |
10 |
The details of these cases have been reviewed with the Darien Health Department and our District Medical Advisor.
Contact tracing has been completed and it has been determined thirty-nine (39) additional school community members are considered close contacts and will require a 10-day quarantine from the date of last contact.
Your continued diligence with monitoring for symptoms and practicing preventative measures is greatly appreciated. Please keep your child home if they are experiencing symptoms or if they are awaiting test results, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms.
Thank you for your ongoing collaborative efforts in helping to protect the well-being of our greater community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alan Addley, Ed.D
Superintendent
Alicia Casucci, APRN, CPNP
Director of Nursing Services