Dear Worcester Preparatory School Community,

The health and safety of our school community is our top priority and in these unprecedented times, this priority continues to guide our decision-making and protocol. Today we learned that one of our employees tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with guidelines provided by the CDC and Worcester County Health Department, the school has asked this individual to stay home and suggested they receive care.  
 
In light of this development, I want to be sure that our community understands the steps we are taking, in cooperation with the Health Department, to ensure the health and safety of all WPS students, employees, and staff, including anyone who may have had close contact with this individual.  Any individuals identified as close contacts have been asked to quarantine. Out of an abundance of caution, the Lower School will be closed tomorrow, 10/20, for an extensive cleaning of all classrooms and common areas. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes, but always want to act with the best interest of our school community in mind.

Please see the information below for additional guidance and contact the school with any questions regarding our protocol or this announcement.

As always, stay informed, stay safe and stay Mallard Strong.
Dr. John C. McDonald, Jr.
Head of School
Mallard Strong Task Force
Please visit our Task Force webpage through this link to view our comprehensive health plan and our frequently asked questions.

Potential Exposure 
The CDC defines close contact as being within six feet of a person who has tested positive for a period of more than 15 minutes. Based on reports to the school administration, any employee who may have had close contact exposure to the infected individual has been notified and asked to quarantine for a period of 14 days. The local health department will also work to identify possible exposures through contact tracing and notify those individuals directly. Only an individual (employee and/or student) identified as a close contact exposure will be contacted by the Worcester County Health Department and asked to quarantine. 
  
Facility Cleaning and Disinfection 
We are undertaking a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the school campus. This will be completed in accordance with the CDC’s Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations. 
   
Continued Attention to Heightened Hygiene 
We will continue our heightened environmental cleaning regimen in accordance with CDC recommendations, including routine cleaning of all frequently touched surfaces in the school, such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, and doorknobs. We advise all employees to continue their personal regimens related to reducing transmission of the COVID-19 virus.