We received notification today – Thursday, Sept. 9 – of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 resulting from a community organization event that took place over the weekend at the Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School campus.
One case of the two confirmed cases involves a member of the Watervliet Elementary School community who participated in the event and has since tested positive. All school-related contacts have been identified and advised of the need to quarantine for the next 10 days as a precaution following Albany County Health Department guidelines.
The health department recommends that anyone who attended the Sept. 5 event and may have been exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms or get tested as a precaution. You can get a COVID-19 test by calling the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at 888-364-3065, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center at 518-407-0172, or contact your health care provider.
In the meantime, we continue to follow all COVID-19 health and safety protocols in both our school buildings to ensure a safe learning environment for students and staff. These protocols include daily cleaning and sanitizing, wearing masks indoors, hand hygiene, social distancing of 3 feet or more in all classrooms, and other precautions.
A reminder for families: PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE SICK OR HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS: fever, fatigue/tiredness, muscle/body aches or pains, congestion, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea, headache, loss of taste or smell, rash, feeling sick or unwell in any way.
Based on recommendations of federal, state and local health agencies, we encourage students who are 12 years and older and otherwise eligible, to get vaccinated. Information about COVID-19 vaccinations can be found on the Albany County Health Department website.
Your continued cooperation and support of our schools is appreciated. We look forward to working together to make this a safe, healthy and successful school year for our students, staff and families.
(This notification was sent to WCSD families and staff on Thursday, Sept. 9 via One Call Now email.)