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Dear Staff and Community:
On February 27, 2021 we learned that a student at Pine Spring Elementary tested positive for COVID-19. This individual was last on site on February 17, 2021. As a result, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has worked closely with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to determine any exposure to students or staff while at school.
The FCHD Containment Branch has already completed their investigation. All potential contacts have now been contacted by the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD).
If you have not received further communication from the FCHD, you are not considered a contact at this time.
Based on the results of the contact investigation and tracing, FCPS has addressed all recommendations of the FCHD.
If you have questions, you may contact the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-267-3511 (9 am to 7 pm weekdays and 9:30 am to 5 pm on weekends). You may also email ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov (monitored 8 am to 6 pm weekdays).
FCPS maintains a COVID-19 Dashboard that shows daily cases at https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/fcps-confirmed-covid-19-case-reporting. This provides information on our division health metrics and COVID-19 cases.
We understand the COVID-19 pandemic has created anxiety for many individuals in our community. Please know that this information is being shared to keep you informed and aware as we all work together to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Given the continued local spread of COVID-19, the Health Department recommends that you and your family members take the following steps to protect yourselves and others:
Stay home Limit your risk of exposure to COVID-19 by staying home whenever you can. If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, stay home and separate yourself from other people in the home as much as possible. Keeping a safe distance from others you live with is known as self-isolating. You can ask the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to help you make sure your basic needs (for example, food and medication) are being met while you are self-isolating. You can learn more at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/
Mask up Every time you leave your home, wear a mask. Always.
Scrub up Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used.
Keep your distance If you stay 6 feet away or more from others, the virus will not spread through coughs and sneezes. This is known as social distancing.
Cover up Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and throw tissues in the trash after use. If tissues are not available, cover coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve or elbow.
Don’t touch! Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Say something If you are sick you can slow the spread of COVID-19 by sharing the news of your positive test result with people you have been in close contact with at home, work or socially. Parents/guardians should contact the school to let them know your child is sick and employees should contact your manager at your work location.
Monitor symptoms People with COVID-19 can have many different symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness. Not everyone with COVID-19 illness will have all symptoms and fever may or may not be present. Symptoms typically appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. You can use the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH’S) Daily Symptom Monitoring Log to help you keep track of symptoms. You can download the log here https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/182/2020/03/Daily_Monitoring_Log.pdf
COVID Testing If you have symptoms and want to get tested for COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider. Your provider may be able to test you or help you to find testing sites in your area. For additional information on testing sites in your area, visit the Virginia COVID-19 Testing Sites at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/.
Find a doctor Seek medical care if your illness worsens. If you have any type of medical emergency, call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Emergency signs of COVID-19 include trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest that won’t go away, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.
Answer the call Your local health department might call you to check-in on your health, discuss who you’ve been in contact with and ask you to stay at home to self-isolate. This is part of contact tracing and an important process to keep our schools safe. Please speak to the health department if they call nd share information about who you may have been in close contact with to help stop the spread.
Showing symptoms? No school. Do not send any child experiencing a cough or runny nose to school. If your child comes to school with these symptoms, he or she will be sent home. Your child will require a note from their healthcare provider with a diagnosis before returning to school. Depending on your child’s diagnosis, you may be required to keep your child home and away from others until the child has been symptom free and without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medication.
Manage stress and anxiety Being ill can be stressful or cause anxiety. Remember that everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:
- Call 911.
- Call VA C.O.P.E.S. (Compassionate, Optimistic, Person-centered, Empowering Support). The Virginia COVID “warm” line has been set up to help people who are having trouble dealing with the changes in our lives due to COVID-19. Callers can receive emotional support and referrals for mental and behavioral health and other services. Unlike 911, which is used only for emergencies, a warm line offers support and gives people the chance to talk about their struggles and mental health. Crisis Counselors are available during the following times to take calls. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and on Saturday-Sunday from 5-9 p.m. VA C.O.P.E.S can be reached by phone ortext at 877-349-6428. Spanish speaking counselors are available.
- Visit the Disaster Distress Helplineor call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotlineor call 1-800-799-7233 and
TTY 1-800-787-3224.
For more information on COVID-19 Supports and Resources, please visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/#COVID-19-resources
Thank you for your cooperation, support, and patience as we work through the COVID-19 emergency together.
Sincerely,
Nicole Yacubovich, Principal
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