Covid Virus Magnified

September 17, 2021

Dear Students, Families, and Staff,

This communication is to inform you that an individual associated with St. George School recently tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. Please monitor yourself/your student for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start. It is important that you call a healthcare facility before you show up in person. Stay home if you are sick or are experiencing any listed symptoms.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It 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 DOE or a school representative will contact you directly if you are identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive.  Close contacts who are unvaccinated and not a pooled testing participant will be asked to quarantine from school for 10-full-days from last exposure to the positive individual.  All unvaccinated close contacts will be asked to quarantine from non-school activities as well.  A negative test result does not get an individual out of quarantine. Those determined to be close contacts will receive a second letter following this communication.

Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper hand washing 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 cloth face covering in public for people over five years of age.  Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.  When in public, avoid social distances of less than 6 feet and direct and direct physical contact.  

Questions for the school can be directed to Adam Bullard, Instructional Administrator; or Autumn. Belajonas, St. George School Registered Nurse; by calling (207) 372-6312. For general COVID questions call 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, 

Jessica Berry
Interim Superintendent  
Director of Special Education