COVID-19 Case Confirmed At John T. Baker Middle School

GERMANTOWN, MD — Someone at John T. Baker Middle School in Damascus has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a letter to the community, Principal Louise Worthington wrote that the individual was last at school on Tuesday, March 2. It is unclear whether the person was a student or a staff member.

"Following Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines, we notified individuals who were known to have direct contact with this individual and have advised them to quarantine for 14 days," the letter read.

Direct contact is defined as:

• Being within approximately 6 feet of an infected individual for a prolonged period of time
• Or having direct contact with the infected secretions of an individual with COVID-19 (i.e., being coughed on)

"We encourage you to closely monitor your child for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath," Worthington said. "If your child develops any of these symptoms, do not send them to school. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately for advice."

Parents should contact the school if their child develops COVID-19-like symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms, or who tests positive for COVID-19, cannot return to school until they are medically cleared, according to MCPS.

This is the first confirmed positive case since MCPS reopened on March 1.