NORWOOD — The Town of Norwood seeks to provide updates to residents on a continuous basis.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Paul A. Bishop, General Manager Tony Mazzucco, Health Director Sigalle Reiss and the Norwood Public Schools report that Superintendent David Thomson is one of the town officials that has been asked to self quarantine after attending an event last week where a person, that has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), was also in attendance.
Superintendent Thomson is currently healthy and has not exhibited any symptoms of illness since attending the party at a private residence last Sunday, March 1. Due to this fact, he will not be tested for COVID-19 unless he develops symptoms.
Superintendent Thomson will work from home next week and will be able to return to school when the self quarantine period ends on Monday, March 16, if he remains symptom free.
All Norwood Public Schools will be open on Monday, March 9, and will be operating in the normal fashion.
“Parents are encouraged to send their children to school next week. Please stay informed and we will notify parents if there are any updates,” Health Director Reiss said. “There is no known exposure to the schools and the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus remains low across the state, including in Norwood.”
Out of an abundance of caution, the district is taking the opportunity while the schools remain empty this weekend to call in custodial staff to sanitize and disinfect all Norwood schools and the district office. Additionally, the schools will continue to be diligently cleaned as they routinely are during cold and flu season.
“I am feeling healthy and will be able to easily work from home next week and expect this to have minimal interference on school operations,” Superintendent Thomson said. “The district has remained in close contact with our town health department officials and they assure me that there is no current cause for concern for students when it comes to attending school in Norwood. If there are any changes to that sentiment we will certainly let parents and the school community know as quickly as possible.”
Last night, town officials announced that 30 people, including 11 town officials and employees were notified that they needed to self quarantine after attending the same party last week. One of the town employees that is self quarantining is General Manager Tony Mazzucco, who was tested for COVID-19 last night and is awaiting results today. Another private resident will also need to be tested.
Below is important information from Norwood Health Department Director Reiss:
Q: Should the children of the people who are under self quarantine come to school?
A: Yes. Just because a person is under self quarantine does not mean that they have the novel coronavirus. It is a precautionary measure and does not necessarily mean that someone has or will exhibit symptoms of illness.
Q: Is the district cancelling after school activities?
A: No. At this time there is no reason to do so.
Q: Is the district changing any large group activities or trips?
A: Per CDC guidelines and by the recommendation of Governor Charlie Baker’s office, school trips to Italy and France in April have been cancelled and may be rescheduled for later in the year. All local school activities and events in Norwood, and domestic school trips, will still go on as planned.
Town and school officials will continue to monitor the situation closely and are working with local health officials. Further updates from town, health and school officials will be made as they become available.
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