Coronavirus: Middletown Schools Shut Down Water Fountains

MIDDLETOWN, RI — Water fountains in Middletown Public Schools have been shut down as the district works with the Rhode Island Department of Health on guidelines to help curtail the spread of coronavirus should a positive case be found in the school community. Middletown Superintendent of Schools Rosemarie Kraeger sent a letter to parents and staff Monday saying that buses are also being sanitized after each trip and telling them that students and staff reporting flu-like symptoms will be immediately separated from the student body and sent home. Those with symptoms consistent with coronavirus will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

"It is important to note that the RIDOH has been clear in their messaging that someone needs to be exposed to someone who actually has symptoms in order to be considered at high risk for contracting the illness," Kraeger wrote. "The RIDOH is not seeing widespread virus contamination in Rhode Island at this time. The general level of risk for Rhode Islanders is still low."

Kraeger said the school is awaiting word from the RI Department of Education on excused absences due to self-quarantines related to coronavirus.

(More on the coronavirus can be found in this fact sheet from the CDC.)

Kraeger said the school has been participating in statewide conference calls with RI Director of the Department of Health Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott on protocols that should be taken and that as of Monday afternoon there are no known cases of coronavirus in the Middletown Public Schools.

Kraeger said if any positive tests occur, she will work with the RI Department of Health to determine whether the school needs to be closed.

(Don't miss updates about precautions in Patchtown as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.)