Photo: The Winn Brook Elementary School

A member of the Winn Brook Elementary community tested positive with COVID-19, according to the Belmont Department of Health.

The Health Department confirmed on Monday, Sept. 28 that either a student or staff member at the school located at the corner of Waterhouse Road and Cross Street has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to Belmont Superintendent John Phelan.

“I am grateful for the proactive, swift, and responsive measures that have been taken to ensure the safety of everyone in the Belmont Public Schools community, and I thank you for your partnership,” said Phelan in an email to the district and community

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines, the infectious period for COVID-19 is two days prior to becoming symptomatic or, if asymptomatic, two days prior to testing. Beth Rumley, Belmont Public School’s director of nursing determined the school community member was not present at school during their infectious period. Therefore, no close contacts were identified among the school community in this situation.

Phelan said the district has taken the following steps after the notification:

• The Belmont Department of Health and Rumley immediately began case investigations.
• The district has planned for such a scenario during its reopening planning process and have a comprehensive plan in place. All of those protocols have been implemented.
• To further prevent transmission of the virus to other staff and students, the district sanitized the school with a focus on the areas frequented by the community member that tested positive.
• The Winn Brook student body and staff that are in school have been closely adhering to the safety protocols, including mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing. 

“We are grateful to our families for their continued efforts to keep students at home at the first sign of symptoms.  These measures, taken in combination, greatly reduce the risk of additional transmission.