Sulphur Springs Independent School District Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams Thursday evening notified families, students and employees that 7 new COVID-19 cases have been reported for Sulphur Springs High School
Six additional students and 1 staff member were lab-confirmed to have COVID-19; all seven were reported to have been present at SSHS during the last week, according to Williams. A dozen of the cases have been reported in the last 7 days: including 5 SSISD employees and 7 students.
Cumulatively, that’s at least 9 employees and 16 students of SSISD who have been on campus since classes resumed for the fall semester who have tested positive for COVID-19.SSISD Campus Student Employee Austin Academic Center 0 0 Barbara Bush Primary 0 0 Bowie Primary 2 0 Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center 1 0 Lamar Primary 0 0 Travis Primary 1 0 Sulphur Springs Elementary 0 3 Sulphur Springs Middle School 3 3 Sulphur Springs High School 9 1 Other (bus driver, special services, admin. etc.) 0 2
The district and local health department have begun a case investigation and will contact any individuals determined to be in close contact with the infected individuals. All students and staff who came into close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual will be directly notified as soon as possible. Those in close contact will remain off campus for up to 14 days to ensure they do not have the virus, so that there will not be any further spread, Williams noted in the notification letter.
All are asked to continue watching for symptoms of COVID-19, especially anyone who was determined to have been in close contact with coronavirus positive individuals..
Any of the following symptoms may indicate a possible COVID-19 infection:
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Loss of taste or smell
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Shaking or exaggerated shivering
- Significant muscle pain or ache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
SSISD administrators encourage any member of the SSISD community who does begin experiencing any of these symptoms in a way that is not typical to contact their physician. Anyone in the SSISD community who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 is asked to notify the school by contacting the campus nurse.
Questions or concerns may be directed to Williams at 903-885-0999. The SSISD website, www.ssisd.net, also has information regarding COVID-19 as it pertain to the district.
