November 14, 2020
Good Morning,
I am writing to inform you that a member of our community has tested positive for COVID-19. In an effort to maintain confidentiality but also provide important details, we can confirm that this employee:
- was tested due to COVID-19 exposure and contact tracing outside of our AOF community
- is following the recommended guidelines for isolation
- is currently asymptomatic
- has identified six close contacts
All appropriate contact tracing has been performed based on guidance from the Farmington Valley Health District and our coronavirus response plan. Those who were deemed to be in close contact with this individual have been identified, contacted, and placed in quarantine. We are currently awaiting the PCR test results of those individuals.
Additionally, late yesterday afternoon we were also notified that a non-student facing member of the Flik Dining Service staff tested positive for COVID-19.
- This person is asymptomatic, has not been involved in any food preparation or food service, and has not been in direct contact with any students or faculty.
- The last day this individual was working on campus was Thursday, November 12. Consequent contact tracing has determined that only one other Flik employee at AOF was considered a close contact. The employee determined to be a close contact was notified right away and instructed to remain home for a 14-day quarantine. Farmington Valley Health District was notified and affirmed the school's contact-tracing plan.
With less than a week until Thanksgiving break, it is more important than ever to be vigilant with our mask wearing, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. The COVID-19 positivity rate continues to climb not only in Connecticut but throughout the country, and it is imperative that we respond appropriately.
I realize this announcement may be alarming since these are our first positive cases. However, please know we are following the appropriate guidelines and adhering to our internal COVID-19 protocols. I will update the community once we receive the PCR test results of the six individuals.
Aspirando et perseverando,