During Thanksgiving break, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported among students, teachers and others in Darien schools remained steady, according to reports from school district officials to parents and staff.
A total of 21 people tested positive for COVID-19 In the five days from Wednesday (when students were released early, just before Thanksgiving) through early Sunday evening.
Although that number is higher than in previous updates to parents and staff, it represents a total of five days instead of the single-day reports that had been given out in each of the five days before Thanksgiving break.
A comparison with those numbers shows no increase in the rate of new reported cases: 21 in each five-day period.
There was a jump in the number of people told to self-quarantine (21 in the earlier five-day period, 33 in the latest report) but far fewer told to get tested for COVID and be careful (“Screen & Stay” in the reports: 43 in the earlier period, 23 in the later period).
The message from schools Superintendent Alan Addley and Alicia Casucci, the school district nursing director, was sent out at 7:45 p.m., Sunday.
The message didn’t indicate how contact tracing may have been different during a period in which relatives and friends were gathering for Thanksgiving.
Current school district contact tracing and quarantine guidelines can be found here.
Full Text of Sunday Night’s COVID-19 School District Update
Nov. 28, 2021
Dear Parents and Community Members:
Since our last communication on Nov. 23, 2021, the Darien Public Schools District COVID Response Team has been notified about 21 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. The affected individuals have been instructed to remain home in self-isolation for 10 days from the date of their positive test. All family members have also been instructed to self-quarantine and get tested.
Contact tracing has been completed and the details of these cases have been reviewed with the Darien Health Department and our District Medical Advisor.
Please keep any child who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID, no matter how mild, at home and seek advice from your medical provider on next steps. 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