Superintendent Kyle Repucci reports that Rochester Public Schools were informed today of a positive case of COVID-19 at Rochester Middle School.

An individual at Rochester Middle School has tested positive for the virus and is self-quarantining in accordance with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol. The individual will be able to return to school in approximately two weeks, as long as the individual has been cleared by DHHS to do so. Under state and federal privacy laws, no further information is available about the individual.

At this time, one grade level team at Rochester Middle School, as well as all Rochester Middle School and Spaulding High School students on one bus route will be quarantined and in remote learning for the next 14 days out of an abundance of caution. Affected students and staff were dismissed from school on Thursday and will be given instructions for remote learning, which remain in place until Friday, Nov. 13.

The district is actively working with and following guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The district will be working with DHHS to identify and contact all close contacts of the positive individual. Those who are identified as a close contact (anyone who was within 6 feet of the infected individual up to two days prior to the positive test result) will be contacted by DHHS and required to quarantine for at least two weeks. Specific quarantine plans will be provided to those affected. Those families and staff will be directed to get tested and keep themselves or their children quarantined until 14 days following their last possible exposure. If you do not receive a call from DHHS, this means you have not been identified as a close contact and you are not required to quarantine.

If you or your child are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, chills, respiratory illness, aches, or change in taste and smell, or believe you have been exposed to someone who has contracted COVID-19, get a COVID-19 test and stay home until you receive your results. Testing can be done either through your primary healthcare provider or at one of the testing sites located throughout the state.

Please note that if you or your child are currently quarantined, you must remain in quarantine for 14 days, even if your test is negative. This is due to the fact that symptoms can present up to two weeks after exposure.

Deep cleaning of all schools will continue to be conducted each night. High touch surfaces are and will continue to be cleaned frequently and as needed throughout the day while the building is occupied. Sanitizing wipes remain available in each classroom to wipe down desks when students change classrooms.

In addition, to prevent further spread of the disease in the community, Rochester Public Schools ask that students, families and staff take the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:

• Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well. Students should stay home from school should any new or unexplained illness, no matter how mild, develop. This precaution is meant to keep all staff and students safe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with others. When outside your home, please adhere to social distancing guidelines and keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
• Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting sick with COVID-19. Tips for talking to children about COVID-19 can be found here.

To learn more about COVID-19, please check these trusted resources:
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention