Vestal Central School District has been working with the Broome County Health Department as we have received notification of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our district. According to New York State Department of Health guidelines, any person who was in contact with the confirmed case will be quarantined by the Broome County Health Department for up to 14 days. Close contacts have been identified and the Broome County Health Department is in the process of contacting any individuals who were exposed.
In a news release issued at 2:00 p.m. Monday, the Vestal district not identify the infected person as a student, teacher or staff; male or female; or what changes, if any, this notification might cause in the district’s safety procedures. Later in the day after reporters’ questions, the district issued another statement that the infected person is a student.
Your Hometown Station WEBO has learned the infected person is a male student at the high school. Some teachers and others in contact with the student are being tested.
Around 3:30 p.m., Vestal school officials issued this updated information: Affected areas were cleaned immediately, and the District is following the guidance of the Broome County Health Department. In-person learning has been impacted with regard to the students and staff who are required to isolate in response to this case.
COVID-19 is spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to take the following preventive measures:
Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food.
Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.
Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then
throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and include fever, coughing, and
shortness of breath. Some people with coronavirus have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose,
sore throat, nausea, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some situations, the virus can develop
into pneumonia.
