Dellwood Middle School will open today following a risk assessment after a potential Covid-19 exposure, the Ministry of Education said tonight.

In a statement at 10.19pm last night, the Minister of Education, Diallo Rabain, said: “The Ministry of Education is grateful to the Department of Health staff for addressing the concerns of teachers, students and their parents.

“I am grateful for the quick work carried out by the Department of Health to conduct a risk assessment of Dellwood Middle School.

“After the necessary cleaning, the school will open tomorrow, which is a testament to Bermuda’s school opening Covid-19 protocols.

“Those identified and contacted by the Department of Health must test for Covid-19 by March 16 and be re-tested again on or after Day 14, which falls on March 26.

“Affected persons can speak with their doctors about getting tested. Alternatively, the Department of Health is organizing a special clinic tomorrow, Monday, March 15 at the Bulls Head testing site.

“Priority for testing will be given to affected members of Dellwood Middle School only.

“The Principal of Dellwood Middle School will ensure that the students’ and associated teachers’ testing appointments are booked. Students must attend with a responsible adult who can consent to testing on behalf of the child.

“The responsible adult must bring a valid, government-issued picture ID for themselves and, if possible, for the child for whom they are giving consent for.”

Here is the rest of the statement:

“Earlier this weekend, the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) identified a potential COVID-19 exposure at Dellwood Middle School. After conducting a risk assessment, the ESU has concluded that with all precautions (disinfecting and deep cleaning of areas impacted) having been put in place on the campus, Dellwood Middle School will open on Monday, March 15th, 2021.

“Further, based on the risk assessment to the COVID19 exposure, the Ministry of Health has been in direct contact with affected persons at Dellwood Middle School. Only those persons contacted are required to quarantine for 14 days.

“The Chief Medical Officer, in accordance with the Public Health Act 1949 and the Public Health (COVID-19) Regulations 2020, has directed that those identified and contacted as close contacts by the Department Ministry of Heath must be quarantined. This means those identified and contacted must stay home and away from other activities today, March 14th 2021, until, and including March 26th 2021.

“This includes not attending birthday parties, extra-curricular activities, social engagements, other places of employment, public places, public transport, grocery stores, etc. Non-essential visitors must not enter the home. For children, the child’s main caregiver(s) and close contacts within the home (including brothers and sisters) must also remain at home.

“Other household members who are able to separate (separate bedroom and bathroom, no common spaces) from the child within the home are not required to remain at home unless your child is experiencing COVID‐19 symptoms or has a positive COVID‐19 test.

“All public health guidelines must be followed by these other household members inside and outside of the home. This includes mask-wearing, hand hygiene and physical distancing. These guidelines are for your safety and required by law. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a fine and/or imprisonment. For further information about the legal requirements and penalties, visit: https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-regulations”

The Department of Health will provide further advice once the test results are completed. Negative test results by a particular child or teacher will not automatically mean release from quarantine.

If you have further questions concerning COVID‐19, consult your healthcare provider or contact schoolsurv@gov.bm . Also, all public health guidelines are listed at https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus