Ferndale School District says service provider tests positive for coronavirus
The Ferndale School District late Sunday, March 23, announced that it had been notified that a service provider who works in the district’s school buildings on a “semi-regular” basis has tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.
The school district believes the service provider had contact with 19 students, spokesperson Erin Vincent told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
The district said in a post on its website it was notified by the Lummi Behavioral Health Department that a non-tribal Lummi Indian Business Council employee had tested positive. That employee also worked at Ferndale school buildings as a service provider.
According to the release:
▪ The service provider worked at Ferndale High School, Vista Middle School and Horizon Middle School during the week of March 9-13.
▪ The service provider worked with individual students.
▪ Lummi Behavioral Health has contacted each student who is believed to have been in direct contact with the service provider.
The Whatcom County Health Department has been made aware of the situation, the release stated, and it is not recommending any further action.
The Whatcom County Health Department reports on its website that there have been 48 confirmed cases of coronavirus in county residents, two of whom died from the illness.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 8:41 AM.
