Here are letters sent to the families of students at Tobias Elementary School by the Hays CISD Wednesday after a person with a connection to the campus tested positive fo COVID-19.

CDC image.

The Hays Free Press will continue to issue updates on the virus and community response to it as they become available.

Important Coronavirus Information for Tobias Elementary

Dear Tobias Family,

This morning we were notified by the health department that a person, an adult, who was on campus last week on March 11, 2020 has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. This person was asymptomatic (not displaying symptoms) at the time, but later developed symptoms of fever and tested positive for COVID-19.

The health department has stated the risk of transmission is low for those on campus, but they recommend that all staff and students on campus monitor themselves for symptoms until March 25, 2020. The recommendation from the health department is monitoring only. At this time, there is no recommendation to quarantine or isolate. If symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath do develop, you should isolate from others and call your primary care provider or the health department if you do not have a primary care provider.

Because the person on campus could conceivably have had contact with anyone on campus, the guidance from the health department at this time remains the same for everyone on campus. To balance the need to protect medical privacy of individuals with the need to share information from a public health standpoint, the district is only identifying the person who was at Tobias Elementary as an adult. Should the need arise for additional guidance for any specific individuals, students or adults, we will work with the health department to contact those individuals individually.

The CDC provides guidance regarding symptoms to look for and what do to if you do have symptoms. The CDC and health department stress that most people who develop symptoms do not need to seek medical attention and can be cared for at home.

As a precautionary measure, we have closed Tobias Elementary to any activity until further notice. We want to give any possible virus on surfaces in the building a chance to die on its own. And, we will disinfect the building using special cleaning equipment before we allow anyone back inside.

While this news may be concerning to learn, I want you to know that we are committed to providing you important information as we learn it, and we will take all necessary action to keep you, our staff, and community safe. Again, we would like to remind you, that the health department believes the risk transmission to students and staff is low.

Sincerely,

Alisa DiPalma

Principal