February 6, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer (cover photo courtesy of CDC)
In continuing to work with the Hingham Health Department in addressing concerns centered on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Supt. of Schools Paul Austin shared an "important update" about new precautions now in place with the Hingham Public Schools community today -- the second letter related to this issue this week (you can read more on that here).
"As you are probably aware, new information about the Coronavirus is being shared by public health authorities every day," Austin states in the letter, noting ongoing collaboration with the Health Department and continuous monitoring of "all public health advisories."
Austin went on to state, "It's important to note that the risk of contracting Coronavirus in Hingham remains low, and there are currently no cases in Hingham."
That said, according to Austin, "HPS has received new guidance from the Hingham Health Department for the Coronavirus."
Following this new guidance, any families who have traveled from China and arrived on or after Jan. 22 "should self-quarantine at home, not attend school, and avoid any public events for 14 days to ensure that no symptoms of Coronavirus develop," Austin said.
In addition, any family or children who have traveled to China and returned since Jan. 22 should contact their school nurse immediately.
Austin went on to say, "While it is natural to be anxious about a virus that is spreading globally, we all need to be vigilant that this anxiety is not directed at any particular members of our school community. We are not asking anyone to share personal information about students or families."
HPS will continue to work with the Health Department and will "closely monitor all of the latest information to ensure the safety of our students and staff," Austin stated.
Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to call the school nurse at their child's/children's school or the Health Department at (781) 741-1466 or to visit https://www.hingham-ma.gov/186/Board-of-Health for the most up-to-date information.
"We will continue to monitor this evolving virus daily," Hingham Executive Health Officer Susan Sarni told the Hingham Anchor earlier this week.
Hingham Public Health Nurse Kathy Crowley stated earlier that screenings related to the Coronavirus "will be conducted in designated airports by trained staff" and that the Hingham Health Department "will continue to follow the Hingham Public Schools health policy," which is posted on the School Department website.
In his earlier letter Austin outlined HPS police 6.10 related to contagious diseases, which states that "a child infected with a disease dangerous to the public health, as defined by statute, shall not attend classes while the student is so infected. If in school, the student shall be sent home as soon as proper arrangements can be made. No student who has been absent due to a communicable disease may return to school without a certificate from the Board of Health or the attending physicians" as required under Massachusetts General Laws.