September 23, 2021
Dear BHS Staff, Students, and Families,
The Maine CDC has determined there is an outbreak of COVID-19 at Brunswick High School. An outbreak means there are three or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 within a 14-day period that are epidemiologically linked. There are now 11 active cases in the BHS community.
Outbreak status does not affect educational programming. Rather, it is a state of alert that there is a relatively high prevalence of COVID-19 in the school and for members of the BHS community to behave with an abundance of caution. Classes will continue. Close contacts who were previously notified should continue to follow the directions shared in those notifications.
The Maine CDC will continue to monitor the school to determine when it is no longer in outbreak status.
All COVID-19 cases and related information in the district are made available to the public at the BSD COVID-19 Resources page at the following link: https://www.brunswicksd.org/pa...
Please monitor yourself/your student for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start and stay home if you are sick or are experiencing a COVID-19.
COVID-19 can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms include:
• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• muscle or body aches
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• confusion
• pressure or pain in the chest
• blue/gray-tinged skin/lips/nail beds
• inability to wake or stay awake
Please keep in mind that many things can cause respiratory illness, so students and staff should be up-to-date on influenza and routine vaccinations.
Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper handwashing with soap and warm water, which is especially important after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others. Wear a face covering in public indoor spaces, especially if you are not vaccinated. Face coverings are required in Brunswick schools. Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you. When in public, avoid social distances of less than 6 feet and direct physical contact.
Questions for BHS can be directed to Principal Troy Henninger, thenninger@brunswicksd.org, or School Nurse Jennifer Strout, jstrout@brunswicksd.org at 319-1910.
For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Phillip J. Potenziano, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools