Guilford Schools Report 28 Coronavirus Cases Since Reopening

GUILFORD, CT — Since the September reopening, there have been 28 positive COVID-19 cases, schools superintendent Dr. Paul Freeman confirmed Monday.

Some parents have noted that based on letters sent home, there are less than half that number, but the district’s communications coordinator Lorri Hahn, responding following an email request to Freeman for clarification on case numbers, noted that Freeman does not send letters on case numbers “if there are no close contacts in our schools to a positive case by definition from the Guilford Health Department.” She said all cases are reported to the health department.

Letters to families account for around 13 cases but the total count is more than twice that number.

In the last week, families were told about six new cases: a Baldwin Middle school student tested positive, a Calvin Leete staff member tested positive, an Adams Middle School community member tested positive, a Guilford Lakes Elementary School community member tested positive, a Melissa Jones Elementary School community member tested positive, and on Saturday, a Guilford High School student tested positive.

In some cases, the positive cases have led to many being sent into two weeks of quarantine.

At Guilford Lakes, Melissa Jones and Guilford High School, for example, Freeman noted in letters dated that there were a number of “students and adults” who were in close contacts and were told to quarantine.

Meanwhile, First Selectman Matt Hoey noted in an announcement that due to the spike in cases, Gov. Ned Lamont announced the suspension of all high school, club and other team, including youth, sports effective Monday.