Danbury Public Schools expected to open on Monday, October 26. Instead, new data showed a sharp increase in the number of positive cases in Danbury. A late dataset released on Friday (10/30) gave the leadership team pause when it was confirmed that there were 96 new COVID-19 cases over the most recent three days. As they were in the process of discussing the implications of these new data, they were also concerned about a continued upward trend anticipated over the weekend and having to make a last-minute call on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Furthermore, by Friday afternoon, Danbury Schools had 17 staff members who needed to be quarantined. 

During the week of November 2, Danbury Schools will continue to evaluate the data and the ability to safely open in the upcoming weeks. All decisions will be made based on the health and safety of our students, staff and families, and we remain committed to getting our students back in school for in-person learning. However, Danbury Schools ask that everyone do their part to stop the virus and limit community spread. 

Please continue to reinforce the following: wear your mask, wash your hands and stay at home if you have symptoms. These three tasks help keep transmission low. Mask use and hand washing are one of the most effective strategies to stay healthy. Limiting events to your immediate family is important, too. 

Large gatherings, whether sports or family related, are one of the largest causes of the spread of the virus. Limit these activities to those who live in your household. Hosting gatherings that invite others into your space has shown the tendency to spread germs and thus increase the rate of positive COVID-19 cases. If you travel outside state lines, respect the required quarantines as they protect your family and others. 

Should there be exposure, or someone in your household is diagnosed with COVID-19, the City of Danbury’s health department will do contact tracing. This means that you will receive a call or contact from the department to determine who the ill person has been in contact with. Your participation in this call helps the department to take steps to stop the spread by identifying people who may need to be in quarantine. Likewise, if you have been exposed to the virus and didn’t know it, the health department may reach out to inform you. 

The CT State Department of Education has published several informative, decision-making publications that are used by school to determine what learning mode to be in. Addendum 4 provides specific guidelines, using metrics for opening schools. This document can be read here. We all have had enough of this virus and want COVID-19 to go away. In the meantime, please wear a mask, wash your hands, eat and rest well and stay within your small group. 

Anne E. Mead, Ed. D., is the administrator for the Early Childhood Education and Extended Learning Programs of the Danbury Public Schools. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact her at 203-830-6508 or meadan@danbury.k12.ct.us.