Notice of Non-Staff Member Positive COVID-19 Case at BCSD

February 19, 2021

Dear Berlin Parents and Guardians,

On Friday, Feb. 19, the Berlin Central School District was notified that a non-staff member of the district tested positive for COVID-19. This individual was last in the MSHS building on Wednesday, February 17th.

Per our health and safety protocols, the District has been in communication with the Rensselaer County Department of Health to determine any necessary follow-up. We have now identified and notified all persons who may have had close contact with the positive case within the school. If you were not contacted there is no further action needed on your part.

Our protocols around thorough cleaning and disinfecting are being performed and continue to take place daily in accordance with guidelines from the NYS Department of Health and the Rensselaer County Department of Health.

We ask that all staff continue to follow all safety guidelines outside of school hours including proper use of face coverings, social distancing, proper hand hygiene and avoiding gatherings and travel to states with high positivity rates. We also remind you to please complete the daily health screening form prior to entering the school buildings.

Please monitor yourself for any symptoms of COVID and report any positive COVID-19 test results to the school’s COVID Coordinator, Michele Corsey, at mcorsey@berlincentral.org. Symptoms vary, and some people may not experience any symptoms. Please contact your healthcare provider (or the county health department if you do not have one) to be assessed if you have one or more of these new or worsening symptoms:

a temperature greater or equal to 100.0° F
feel feverish or have chills
cough
loss of taste or smell
fatigue
sore throat
shortness of breath
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
muscle pain or body aches
headaches or nasal congestion/running nose

Due to confidentiality reasons, the district cannot provide any additional information about an individual who tested positive. Anyone with questions and/or who needs to report a COVID-19 related health issue should contact the Berlin COVID Coordinator, Michele Corsey, at mcorsey@berlincentral.org.

Thank you all for your ongoing efforts to keep Berlin Central School safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Mr. A. Joseph Dhara

Berlin Superintendent