Assalamu Alaikum GSA Family,

The number of reported cases of COVID-19 in Palm Beach County Schools and in Palm Beach County continues to rise at an alarming rate.  In the last 4 days, the total number of positive cases in Palm Beach County Schools was reported to be 123 with a positivity rate of 11.5% in children.  Palm Beach County’s positivity rate is reported to be just under 10%.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines published in May, the recommendation for reopening is that a county or jurisdiction should move into reopening once it is at or below a 10% positivity rate for 14 consecutive days; and, remain there as long as there is not multi-day increases in percent positivity with stable or increasing testing volume.
The health and safety of the staff, faculty, students, and the community is and will always be a priority for us at GSA.  With that in mind, coupled with the staggering rise in cases and the increased positivity rates, GSA’s Administration has made the decision to continue virtual learning for all students throughout next week. 

Please keep in mind that these situations are constantly evolving and changing, and we will work to bring you the most up to date information in a timely manner. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the GSA community informed of any further decisions.  We ask for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.  

During this time, you should continue to monitor your health and that of family members and contact your physician if you or anyone in your family displays any of the following symptoms:

• Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath
• Chills, Muscle Pain, Headache, 
• Sore Throat, New Loss of Taste or Smell

Prevention Tips:

• Stay home if you are sick until you do not have a fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms for at least 24 hours after symptoms resolve or 10 days from when symptoms began, whichever is greater.
• If someone in your home is sick with COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, keep them away from the other family members who are not ill.
• Furthermore, if someone in your home has tested positive for COVID-19, family members within the same household (and everyone that came into close contact with the sick person) should quarantine for at least 14 days starting from their last contact with the sick person.
• Be sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water.  If soap and water are not available, then an alcohol-based sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) may be used.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Dispose of all tissues in the trash immediately after use and wash hands afterwards.
• Wear a mask, especially when around non-family members or family members who do not reside in the same household. 
• In addition to wearing a mask, avoid close contact (practice social distancing of at least 6 feet) with people who are not in your household. 
• Keep in mind that close contact is defined as anyone having more than 15 minutes of contact with an infected individual, where they were less than 6 ft apart, with or without a mask. 

For the latest information on COVID-19 cases in Palm Beach County schools, visit The School District of Palm Beach County’s COVID-19 Dashboard at COVID-19 Dashboard.  And, as always, for up to date information on COVID-19, please go to the cdc.gov website.

Feel free to contact me at sheila@assahaba.org if you have any questions or concerns.