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Important Health Update 11/23/21

Updated COVID-19 Information
Posted on: November 23, 2021 - 7:29am
Hanover Health

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases among our students and 29 new cases in the past 11 days. 17 of these cases were reported since Friday, November 19, 2021.  All of the current cases are from the Cedar, Center, and Hanover Middle Schools.  There are no new cases at Hanover High School at this time. You may check the numbers of isolations and quarantines daily on the Town of Hanover COVID-19 Dashboard.

Yesterday, in addition to routine pooled testing of 462 students at all 4 buildings, our school nurses and health services staff conducted rapid antigen tests to over 60 students through the “Test and Stay” program.  None of the rapid tests yesterday revealed positive results.  However, our pooled testing program identified 5 positive pools at Center School, 1 at Cedar, and an inconclusive pool at HMS.  Today, our nurses (with help from Hanover EMS), will be conducting follow-up testing in response to yesterday’s pool testing with over 100 students participating in “test and stay” in addition to the follow-up testing for yesterday’s positive pools.  Early in November, we were testing only a handful of students each day, and today we will be testing over 160 students and staff.  

Most of these new cases have connections to confirmed cases outside of school.  However, as we investigate this rapid increase in new cases, school spread cannot be completely ruled out.  We share this information with you not to cause alarm, but to provide the data so that you may make informed decisions for your family as we approach Thanksgiving.  

At the recommendation of the Town of Hanover Health Department, and after discussion with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in our schools, and to minimize the numbers of students subject to quarantine, we are emphasizing our safety protocols, including: 

  • Desks facing forward with 3-foot distancing whenever possible
  • Reinforce handwashing and hand sanitizer throughout the day
  • Reinforce the proper use of face coverings while indoors, unless eating or drinking or during a mask break

Families can help to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in our schools:

  • If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, have them stay home and test
  • If you have been informed that your child was a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, have them stay home from school and contact your school nurse for testing and quarantine information

Sincerely,

Patricia Smith, Director of Health Services
Matt Ferron, Superintendent