Hamilton County School District
Contributer
On August 25, 2020, the Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County (DOH-Hamilton) was notified of a positive case of COVID-19 in one individual at Hamilton County Elementary School. Because children were possibly exposed to COVID-19, parents of potentially exposed students were notified their child needed to quarantine at home for 14 days from their last day of attendance at the school. Individual members of the teaching staff were also impacted and required to quarantine for 14 days in accordance with CDC guidelines and school board protocols.
Superintendent of Schools Rex Mitchell stated “I know this causes stress on individuals due to the report of a positive individual. However, every step of our process should we have a positive case was followed and executed as planned. We will activate the protocol of notification to all staff and students with follow up from the local department of health for those individuals who will need to take further action.” Superintendent Mitchell went on to say “I will follow the recommendations of the department of health to ensure all our staff and students remain safe from this virus. It is very inconvenient for parents to have children sent home as well as staff members who are required to leave the campus. However, if we do not follow the protocols that we have concerning the appropriate processes to follow once there is an exposure, we are opening the door for a much larger impacted group of individuals.”
The Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County continues to work with the Hamilton County School District to maintain a safe, healthy learning environment for all students and staff in Hamilton County.