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Easley Elementary COVID-19 Update
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We have been in regular communication with Easley Elementary families about some COVID-19 cases that began with a few students who participated in a sleepover or attend the same off-campus after-school program.
While DPS and the Durham County Department of Public Health believe that the first cases were transmitted away from school, there have now been enough cases in the Easley community that the health department is reporting the school as a COVID-19 “cluster.” A cluster is defined as five or more linked cases. We currently have seven active cases at Easley within the same infectious period.
Being named a “cluster” does not mean that all students and staff are at risk! We have moved decisively to limit the spread of COVID-19 as each case has been confirmed, including closing classrooms.
What we’ve done with each case
- Reported the case to the health department
- Performed contact tracing to identify who might have been in close contact with each student
- Closed specific classrooms and shifted each child to remote learning if we could not confirm a limited number of close contacts or consistent mask usage
What we’re doing now
- Identifying additional close contacts who will need to quarantine
- Preparing to follow the guidance of the county and state health departments in responding to the “cluster” determination
- Continuing to review health and safety protocols
- Continuing to communicate with families
What we can do together to limit the spread of COVID-19
- If you are eligible, get vaccinated! Every person aged 12 and up who gets vaccinated helps slow the spread and protect every person who cannot yet be vaccinated
- Wear face coverings properly whenever in public
- Avoid close contact with unvaccinated individuals
- DPS cleans and disinfects every school and bus every day