ENID, OK - EPS received notification that an individual at Adams Elementary has tested positive for COVID-19. After discussing the situation with local health officials, and since this person had contact with almost all students on the campus earlier this week, they have made the difficult decision to transition all Adams’ Elementary students to distance/virtual learning for two weeks in an effort to reduce the possible spread of the virus.
This move will be effective Sept. 14, 2020, and in-person instruction is expected to resume at Adams Elementary on Thursday, Sept. 24,2020.
**All other schools will continue to attend class in-person during this time. **
The State Department of Health has released this week’s numbers reflecting that Garfield County has had 45.16 positive COVID-19 cases this week per 100,000 population (on a 7-day rolling average). This keeps our county in the orange level, what the OSDH defines as “moderate risk”. So next week, all other students will continue with in-person traditional learning.
The EPS plan states that if our county moves to 50 or more positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population, as indicated by the OSDH, the entire district will move to distance/virtual learning. EPS will continue to communicate with you after the weekly report is published each Friday around noon. Families should prepare for the possibility in the future of our entire district having to move to distance/virtual learning for two weeks (or more) if cases do continue to rise.
As more COVID-19 cases are confirmed in our county, it is important to remain vigilant. Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately and quarantine for 14 days. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.
Health officials have advised the following:
• ALL Students pre-k through 12th grade students should social distance from each other (to the extent possible).
• Cloth masks decrease the transmission of the virus, but are not 100%. Students may take short mask breaks, just not all at the same time.
• If a student is quarantined due to a classmate testing positive, the quarantined student’s siblings DO NOT have to quarantine too.
• Several teachers and parents are wanting to get tested if they are exposed. You DO NOT need to be tested unless you are symptomatic. If you are exposed to someone directly and want to be tested, for optimal results you must wait 4-5 days to test after exposure.
• If you have any COVID-19 related questions please speak to your school nurse.
• Garfield County Health Department is doing a mass screening on Monday, August 24. If anyone wants/needs testing you may call 580-233-0650 to schedule a test. You must have an appointment to receive a test.
EPS will continue to follow all COVID-19 safety procedures, including wearing face masks, practice social distancing, and cleaning all areas before and after use.
Our greatest priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members. We ask that our students, staff and families closely monitor their health and not come to school if they are sick or have COVID-19.
If you have any questions about precautions EPS is taking, you can read them in full at our Education Re-entry Plan at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZL99oQP2jwx8jjOR-I5wl8KB70d1iHAzZq6VNcaNMG0/edit#
