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East Haven Has One COVID Reported Case in First Weeks Back to School

Families in East Haven Public Schools (EHPS) were notified on Sept. 22 that an individual at Momauguin Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. Upon learning about the case, the district followed its newly created procedures, including contacting East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD), contact tracing, notifying those who were in close proximity of the affected person, and sending a communication to the district.

Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti also confirmed that there are staff and students currently under quarantine in EHPS’s first reported positive case.

At the Board of Education (BOE) meeting later that evening, Forti explained the new procedures to the BOE. She noted that in regard to contact tracing, anyone who was within six feet of the person affected for more than 15 minutes was notified and given instructions.

“As soon as we were notified of the case, we conducted a Zoom meeting with the team and ESDHD to go through specifics—how the individual travels to and from school, where they are in the building, and who they’re with,” said Forti. “That process took about an hour and we then notified those who may have been in close contact and provided information about what they needed to do. We will also be conducting extra cleaning and sanitation to reopen the school tomorrow.”

BOE member Erika Santiago questioned the quarantine procedures when it comes to the siblings or other members of the household of those who were notified they were exposed. Forti said as she understood, those are secondary contacts who would not have to quarantine, but she would revisit the issue with ESDHD as several BOE members voiced that they would prefer to be overly cautious with those who may have been exposed.