Dear Potomac ES Community,

This letter is to inform you that we were notified that a student in 5th GRADE who was last present at
Potomac Elementary School on December 10, 2021 tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on
December 16, 2021. We were notified on December 16, 2021 of the positive test. Following guidance
from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) it was determined
there has been no risk of exposure to other students or staff on-site.

Based on contact tracing guidelines, staff and students do not need to quarantine as they were not in
close contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19. Please visit
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#c
ontact for additional information on how the CDC, MCPS and DHHS defines and identifies close contacts.

We encourage you to closely monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of
breath, and other coronavirus signs of illness. If any of these symptoms develop, please stay home and
do not report in-person to the school building. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately
for advice and get tested for COVID-19. Please contact the school if there is a development of
COVID-19-like symptoms. Staff or students who develop symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, will
not be able to return to the building until they are medically cleared.

As a reminder, here are the steps that we can all take to keep ourselves, families and school community
safe:
● Get vaccinated when eligible
● Wear a mask, or appropriate face covering, at all times when in school and other public spaces.
● Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before and after eating.
● Cover your cough and/or sneeze and immediately wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand
sanitizer.
● Stay home if you are sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms.

Please visit https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus and
https://montgomerycountymd.gov/COVID19 for additional information on COVID-19, including free
COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain a safe and healthy school environment.