Dear Gaithersburg Elementary School Community,

This letter is to inform you that we were notified today an individual who was last present at Gaithersburg Elementary School on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Thursday, August 26, 2021. 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 staff or students on-site.

Based on contact tracing guidelines, students do not need to be tested or 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#contact 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. 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.  

Sincerely,

Paula Summers

Principal

Gaithersburg ES