Sharon Reports Staff Coronavirus Case at East Elementary

SHARON, MA — Sharon Public Schools reported on Tuesday that a staff member at East Elementary school has tested positive for coronavirus.

According to a letter to families from Superintendent of Schools Meg Dussault, those who came in close contact with the staff member have been notified and the school will continue to help the affected individuals.

"Though we cannot provide specific information about our commit member who tested positive, your child was not a close contact (defined as being within 6 feet of the person for at least 15 minutes) of the affected person," wrote Dussault. "We ask that you all continue to monitor your child on a daily basis for symptoms, and keep your child home if he/she/they shows any symptoms or is not feeling well."

Dussault said the district is also becoming aware of students and staff who were exposed to COVID-19 over winter break and are now testing positive. The community will be updated on these cases as more information becomes available.

"So far none of the cases occurred in a time frame that put anyone in our school community at risk," said Dussault.

Sharon Public Schools are continuing to follow Department of Health protocols such as completing contact tracing with the local board of health, said Dussault, and if any other school community members test positive as a result of this case, families, students, and staff members will be notified immediately.

"We wish to thank our student body and staff who continue to adhere to the safety protocols including mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing," said Dussault. "We are grateful to our families for their continued efforts to keep students home at the first sign of symptoms. These measures, taken in combination, greatly reduce the risk of additional transmission."

According to the latest statistics released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Dec. 31, Sharon has experienced a total of 439 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 69 reported in the two weeks leading up to Dec. 31. The town has an average daily incidence rate of 27.0 and a 4.14% positivity rate.