Somers HS Closes For 2 Days Due To Coronavirus Exposure

LINCOLNDALE, NY — Somers High School will be closed for a couple of days because an individual who was at the school was infected with the new coronavirus. In a letter to the district's families, Superintendent Raymond H. Blanch said the district was informed Thursday of the situation.

He said, by law, the person's identity and his or her reason for being at the school cannot be divulged.

"We are working collaboratively with the Westchester County Department of Health to identify any students who may have been exposed," he said. "The exposed individuals must quarantine for 14 days from the last exposure date and should be tested for COVID-19 five days after their last exposure."

Blanch said the district was sending the students, faculty and staff home early and the school will be closed immediately.

The high school will "initially remain closed" for 48 hours, and the school will deliver instruction via eLearning Friday morning.

Blanch said the building will be disinfected following the state health department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Contact tracing will begin and the district will communicate the findings to the state department of health.

The school district advised parents that, if they believe at any point they and/or their children have been in close contact with someone who is infected, they should self-quarantine and be tested.

If a parent suspects their child is becoming ill, the child should stay home. Symptoms of the new coronavirus include fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose. Additional symptoms include muscle pain, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.

For more information, read the letter from the superintendent here.

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