Fairfield high school closes for second time

Pickup games causing rise in infections, official says

Fairfield Ludlow High School is closed for the second time in a week because of new coronavirus infections.

Three new cases prompted the closure Wednesday and Thursday, said Mike Cummings, superintendent of schools. Students will shift to online learning and are expected to return to in-person classes Friday.

The number of high school students and staff members being asked to quarantine is more than 80, he said in Wednesday’s letter.

Like last week’s infections, Cummings said the new cases are believed to have stemmed from students getting together outside of school and failing to follow proper protocols to block the spread of COVID-19.

“For the second week in a row, we find ourselves having to deal with the consequences of our students participating in weekend activities without masks and without appropriate social distancing,” Cummings said. “In this case, it wasn’t parties, but seemingly innocent activities like playing pick-up football or basketball, or any sponsored event.”

He reminded students that people with the coronavirus are contagious before showing even mild symptoms.

“So there are no ‘safe’ activities without masks and social distancing,” he said.

He urged students to wear masks and practice social distancing outside of home and school and to stay home if they have COVID-19 symptoms, or even if they’re waiting for test results.

He also asked them to provide accurate, complete information if they get a call from contact tracers so health officials may track the virus’ spread.

“We can and do ensure that students wear masks and socially distance when they’re at school, but what our students do outside of school has a serious impact on our ability to safely keep school open,” Cummings said. “We understand that we are dealing with young people. We understand how important it is for them to be with their friends. But we are dealing with a global pandemic and we cannot put all of our students and staff at risk because of the actions of a few.”