Dear Smithfield Staff and Families,
This 36th edition of the Back to School report includes our weekly report on COVID cases, a reminder from RIDOH, info on vaccination clinics, and an update on town data. For more news about Smithfield Schools, see our June newsletter: https://bit.ly/3MVLDsH
A Weekly Report on COVID Cases
Since last week’s report, we have again seen a decrease in the number of cases in our district. There are an additional 12 confirmed COVID cases. This brings our total since our school year began to 1,135 cases. There were 6 cases identified at SHS, 3 cases identified at Gallagher, 12 cases at Pleasant View Elementary, 0 cases at LaPerche Elementary, and 1 case at Old County Road Elementary.
A Reminder from the RIDOH
RIDOH has asked districts to remind families of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) isolation protocol for those who test positive for COVID-19.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, even if they are vaccinated, must stay home and isolate for at least 5 days.
They may return to school on day 6, if they don’t have symptoms or their symptoms are improving, and they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication), and
On days 6-10 of their isolation period, they must wear a well-fitting mask on the bus, in school, and at all school-associated events. They should also wear a mask outside of school when they are around others, especially when indoors. In Smithfield, we are relying on each individual’s personal responsibility, rather than to actively police who should be wearing a mask.
If students and staff are unable to wear a mask at school, they must isolate at home for the full 10 days following the positive test. They can then return to school if their symptoms have improved and they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
The CDC recommends an isolation period of at least 10, and up to 20 days, for people who were severely ill with COVID-19 and for people with weakened immune systems.
Everyone must follow these isolation protocols, even if they receive a negative test result (i.e., antigen or PCR) during their 10-day isolation period.
Additionally, please ensure that all self-test positive test results are reported to the RIDOH at portal.ri.gov/s/selftest. This information helps the Department of Health monitor the spread of COVID19.
Vaccination Opportunities
The Town of Smithfield will be holding a COVID Vaccination Clinic for those age 12+ on Thursday, June 2nd from 2:00pm - 5:00pm at the Smithfield Senior Center. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available in primary series and booster doses. You can pre-register for this clinic at Smithfield COVID Vaccine Clinic 6/2/2022. We will also be hosting a Vaccination Clinic for those age 5+ before the close of the school year. More information and a registration link will be made available soon.
Town Data
The number of new weekly COVID cases in Smithfield has dropped from 105 cases to 71 last week. The number of cases in the state dropped to 4823 from 5418 the week prior. The town rate corresponds to a weekly rate of 323 new cases per 100,000 residents. Our community’s risk level for COVID-19 transmission dropped from high to moderate. This data is available at https://bit.ly/2PxCgDM.
Sincerely,
Judy Paolucci, Superintendent