We follow the guidance provided by Public Health of Seattle-King County (PHSKC), the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Current staff members are asked to inform their supervisor as soon as they have confirmation. All individuals accessing the building, are asked the same attestation questions upon entering, which includes the question “Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for active virus in the past 10 days?” An affirmative answer means the person may not continue to access the building on that day.
Upon learning of a confirmed case, the District begins an interactive process with the individual as soon as they are aware of the result. In the interactive process we ask questions such as:
- Has the person experienced any symptoms?
- When were they last in the building?
- With whom did they interact while at work?
We use this information to determine which other staff members or people we need to contact to let them know they have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 and share the next steps that are recommended on the PHKC website. We also use the information to determine what our next steps are regarding the necessity to contact PHSKC, the procedures to follow of ventilating, cleaning, and disinfecting any affected spaces or particular surfaces, or ultimately, the need to close a classroom, wing, area, or facility in the District.
Communication regarding a confirmed case of COVID-19 is determined by the answers the affected person provides and the guidance offered by PHSKC and DOH. The reach of the communication is determined by the situation and intended to provide information to targeted individuals, staff, leaders, and families.
Information is shared so that individuals may make decisions knowledgably given the nature of the social pandemic we are experiencing. As a result, there may be a broad notice required, such as when we need to shut down a facility, or a narrow notice, such as when there is limited traffic in a building during a summer term. We will provide notice via our traditional vehicles, depending on the situation: By email or eNews or by the a recorded robocall. It is important that that your contact information is current and accurate in our system and that families sign up for the District and school eNews. We intend to communicate as broadly as necessary to contribute to slow or prevent any spread of the novel coronavirus.