HN AUDIO/PHOTOS: PATIENTS PRESENTING AT CCH ER WITH CORONAVIRUS...

UPDATE: First confirmed Cape Cod Coronavirus case is spouse of Barnstable Public Schools staff member…

BARNSTABLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS MESSAGE TO PARENTS:

March 14, 2020

Dear BPS Community,

We are aware of a confirmed case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Barnstable County. It saddens me to share that we were notified the impacted individual is the spouse of a staff member at Barnstable Community Innovation School.

At this time, our staff member, who is symptomatic and in self-quarantine, is undergoing testing as of this evening. We are in communication with the MA Department of Public Health, the Director of Public Health for the Town of Barnstable, our school physician, Dr. Katie Rudman, and the Town of Sandwich Public Health Department.

The staff member’s last day of work was Friday, March 6, 2020. On the advice of our medical experts, we are recommending that all staff and students from Barnstable Community Innovation School (BCIS) quarantine for at
least the next few days while we await results from the test. Since the staff member’s last day at BCIS was March 6, a full quarantine would extend to Friday, March 20. We have been advised that staff and students should watch for signs and symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. Please contact your primary care physician if, as a BCIS staff member, or your child as a BCIS student, experience any of these symptoms. We realize this news is unsettling, and you have my commitment that as soon as we receive more information from DPH, I will communicate with our BPS community.

All Barnstable Public Schools are closed for at least two weeks and will undergo deep cleaning beginning the second week. However, the Barnstable Community Innovation School is immediately closed to all staff, and will
undergo deep cleaning this week. Barnstable Public Schools continues to post COVID-19 updates and resources on our website at
https://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/Page/4864

In addition to the recommendation to BCIS staff and students to quarantine, I want to remind our entire BPS community of the critical importance of social distancing. In particular, the Center for Disease Control discourages
staff, students, and their families from gathering or socializing anywhere. This includes group childcare arrangements, as well as gathering at places like a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or the local shopping mall.
We know that it is difficult for children to be away from their friends and extended family, but it is the only reliable way to slow the spread and protect all of our vulnerable community members.

In closing, it is important to emphasize our commitment to confidentiality. As with any medical issue, we are required to maintain the confidentiality of our staff, students and families at all times. We will not be providing
person-specific information regarding reasons for absences, illness and/or travel history. During this difficult time, it is important to respect the privacy of the impacted staff member and their family. Please keep the entire BCIS community in your thoughts.

We appreciate our BPS community’s patience and understanding as we support our students, staff, and families through these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Dr. Meg Mayo-Brown, Superintendent of Schools

UPDATE: Town of Sandwich confirms first Cape Cod Coronavirus case is a 60-year-old male resident of Sandwich…

TOWN OF SANDWICH MEDIA STATEMENT:

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to social distancing.

The Town of Sandwich COVID 19 Command Team met this afternoon to review the progress of the coronavirus in our region.

Cape Cod Healthcare has reported a confirmed case in Barnstable County. The Command Team has been preparing for this situation since March 2nd. This afternoon, we learned that the confirmed case is a resident of the Town of Sandwich, an adult male in his 60’s. The Town responded immediately to follow required public health protocols. All direct contacts have been notified.

This is a situation that will continue in communities across the Commonwealth. You can help slow the spread of this virus by maintaining social distancing, avoiding large groups and continuing with handwashing and observing good personal hygiene.

Please keep in mind that Town Meeting has been postponed and our schools are closed. Town Buildings are open and may offer some limited services. As you plan to conduct Town business please call or use online services before choosing to come in person.

If you are not feeling well and have respiratory symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider by phone. If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about the coronavirus please dial Massachusetts 2-1-1 where you will hear an automated menu of options and press 2-6 for coronavirus. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is providing staff to answer your questions. 2-1-1 works from both cell phones and landlines.

UPDATE – HN was contacted by a parent of the 12-year-old boy taken to CCH with scary symptoms last evening. The family wished to update the community but obviously wants to remain anonymous..

PARENT: “Hello. My 12 year old son is the child referenced on your audio clip post. I did not want to comment on the post to obviously protect his privacy. He is currently admitted at CCH, but has not been diagnosed or even tested for COVID-19. I am letting you know, in case you want to share with your concerned readers that he is in fact not the confirmed case on Cape Cod. I am fine with you saying you have info from the family, but would really prefer that his or my name is not shared. Hopefully that will ease some worries.”

HN: “Yes, definitely confidential… How is he doing?”

PARENT: “Getting better, hopefully headed home tomorrow.”

HN: “Great to hear… lots of prayers!”

PARENT: “Thanks so much! Stay safe out there.”

HN: ” Ty 🙂 “

Initial HN post:

CLICK the following HN VIDEO for HN photos and edited Ambulance/ER audio transmissions from early last evening – Friday, 3/13/20 – several different examples of emergency workers preparing for patients arriving at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis with Coronavirus symptoms. It’s important to note that these audio examples from last evening are NOT actual confirmed cases. It would have been too early to actually be tested and receive results already… (see below)

Also, take a look at the latest media release the came out today from Cape Cod Healthcare, confirming the first positive case of COVID 19 – Coronavirus here on Cape Cod:

Cape Cod Healthcare Confirms First COVID-19 Patient

(Hyannis, MA – March 14, 2020) On March 13, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed the first positive case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Barnstable county. The patient was admitted to a Cape Cod Healthcare hospital with respiratory symptoms. The patient was screened following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) screening criteria. Cape Cod Healthcare consulted with the DPH which approved the patient for COVID-19 testing. The test result was reported positive approximately 24 hours later.

The patient will remain in our care until they are stable and can return home for the remainder of the CDC recommended quarantine period of 14 days. All staff who came into contact with the patient are currently being monitored.

The patient will be provided with comprehensive CDC instructions for managing care for COVID-19 at home; and the patient has been referred to the DPH which will continue to monitor the patient’s condition.

“Cape Cod Healthcare is taking every necessary precaution to keep our patients and community safe,” said Michael Lauf, President and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare. “We strongly encourage the community to continue educate themselves by visiting www.capecodhealthcare.org/coronavirus – and practice an abundance of caution and common sense during this time to limit the spread of this illness. We are ready to support the needs of our community, but we will need everyone’s help and support in this process.”

Cape Cod Healthcare continues to encourage the community to take infection prevention precautions – avoiding contact with people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, proper hand-washing, cleaning of frequently used services and staying home when sick. If you are experiencing symptoms, including fever, coughing and shortness of breath – please call your primary care provider before arriving at a healthcare location. As always, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

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