Today, the Ministry of Health has provided the staff, students and parents of Dellwood Middle School with an update on actions that are to be taken by the Dellwood family. These actions relate to the 14-day quarantine; COVID-19 retesting; further assessments by the Department of Health.
The Chief Medical Officer is reminding that all students, teachers and staff of Dellwood Middle School must remain under quarantine for a total of 14 days.
Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP stated, “This reminder from the Ministry of Health to quarantine means that they must stay home from school and other activities, for 14 days (from 27th November 2020 until and including Friday, 11th December 2020) in response to a potential exposure to COVID-19. This also includes not attending parties, extra-curricular activities, social engagements, other places of employment, public places, public transport, grocery stores, etc. Further, non-essential visitors must not enter the home. It is imperative that everyone complies with the conditions of the quarantine.
Minister Rabain added, “The Ministry of Health has indicated that the child’s main caregiver(s) and close contacts within the home, who cannot separate from the child (separate bedroom and bathroom, no common spaces), must also remain at home.”
The Ministry of Health is also clarifying that testing after the 14-day quarantine is required. Students, teachers and staff must be re-tested for COVID-19 on, or after, Day 14, which falls on 11th December 2020.
Minister Rabain added, “I truly appreciate the support of the Ministry of Health with organizing a special testing clinic once again. The testing clinic will operate on 11th December 2020 at Dellwood Middle School Gymnasium from 10 am to 6 pm. The priority for testing will be given to students, teachers and staff.”
“Parents are reminded that students must attend with a responsible adult who can consent to testing on behalf of the child. The responsible adult must bring a valid, government issued picture ID for themselves and, if possible, for the child for whom they are giving consent. It is important that this step is followed for each child.”
“Once these Day 14 test results are completed, the Ministry of Health will assess all test results. Negative test results by a particular child or family will not automatically mean a return to school. The Ministry of Health will inform the school and affected families on updates to the recommended public health measures,” added Minister Rabain.
Minister Rabain emphasized, “All public health guidelines must be followed by these other household members inside and outside of the home. This includes mask-wearing, hand hygiene and physical distancing. I also take this opportunity to remind everyone in the educational community about the new regulations for mask-wearing.”
Commissioner of Education, Kalmar Richards added, “We want the Dellwood Family to understand that the measures being set out by the Ministry of Health are necessary to collect the required data for the assessment and to determine the next set ofactions that are to be taken. I encourage full participation and compliance from everyone. I want the Dellwood family to stay safe and well.”
