Two Health and Safety Updates and an Important Reminder

Today, one of our teachers tested positive for COVID-19. Please join me in wishing her a speedy recovery. Given the high levels of compliance with our health and safety protocols, we believe that the risk to students should be low. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, and in accordance with CDC and AISL protocols, Grade 4BM are considered direct contacts so they will move to Path 2 from today. Students who choose to get tested and are negative will be able to return on Thursday, 10 June for the last day of school. Students who are not tested will, unfortunately, not be able to return to campus before they academic year ends. As per CDC guidelines, only direct contacts of a known COVID patient are required to be isolated, thus siblings of the groups listed above are able to proceed as normal. All staff members who had close contact with this teacher have been tested (all negative) and will be isolated as well.
 
We also learned today of several students and a few faculty members who may have had close contact with a positive COVID-19 case at a social event last weekend. The affected people have been sent home for isolation and the staff members have also been tested (all negative). Based on the timing of this potential exposure and assuming that they do not develop any symptoms, they may return to campus on Monday with a negative test result or Tuesday with no testing required.
 
Finally, let me take this opportunity to remind everyone in our community to be diligent in adhering to mask-wearing and distancing and to be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms. We know that the number of cases in Lusaka has begun to increase significantly again. If someone in your family develops symptoms, do not just assume it’s a cold or seasonal illness; get tested for COVID-19 so that, if necessary, you can begin treatment and isolation right away. It is important to remember that even if you are fully vaccinated, you may still catch COVID-19 and pass it  to others. The vaccination helps reduce the severity of cases but does not make one immune to COVID-19.  And, as always, please let us know if anybody in your family or social circle tests positive so that we can investigate the situation for any possible impact on the school.

​Thank you.