Ludington schools to close Monday after 2 students test positive for COVID-19.

Ludington schools to close Monday after 2 students test positive for COVID-19.

LUDINGTON — Ludington Area School District will be closed Monday, Nov. 2, after two students tested positive for COVID-19.

The following letter to families from Superintendent Jason Kennedy was posted online Friday afternoon, Oct. 30:

“Dear Parents, Guardians, and Families:
All schools will be closed on Monday, November 2, 2020 to complete the contact tracing process throughout the district in working with the public health department. At 2:34 p.m. today, the district was notified that two Ludington Area Schools students were diagnosed with COVID-19. One student attends Foster Elementary School and the other attends Ludington High School. District Health Department #10 is investigating the situation and is working with the school to identify the close contacts that will need to stay home in quarantine. You will be contacted by the district or by the health department if your child is a close contact. We would like to share information with you on COVID-19 and ask that you watch your child closely for symptoms.

“The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread most commonly from person to person, through respiratory droplets made when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It spreads easiest when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet for at least 15 minutes). You can also get COVID-19 by having direct physical contact with someone that is infected, like touching, hugging, or kissing, as well as sharing eating or drinking utensils. It may also be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. Once infected, illness begins within 2 to 14 days.

“We ask that you help protect your family and your community from this disease by taking the following steps:
– Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 illness, which are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
– It is recommended you get tested for COVID-19 if you do get symptoms. You can call 2-1-1 or go to www.michigan.gov/coronavirustest for testing locations.
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially before eating, after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
– If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick.
– Avoid gathering in groups, stay at least 2 arms’ length (about 6 feet) apart from others, and stay out of crowded areas.
– Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
– Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
– Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often at least once a day. More information can also be found at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

“Thank you for your continued patience and support of the district as we have worked through this pandemic. Additional information will be shared with the greater school community throughout the upcoming days. Have a great weekend, stay safe, and be well!

Sincerely,
Jason J. Kennedy
Superintendent”

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