An early childhood learning center in Middletown closed following two COVID-19 cases.Health officials said this is just a glimpse into their concerns for the upcoming school year.The ECLC at Abilities First closed at 10:30 a.m. Monday after they were alerted to two positive COVID-19 cases.They wouldn't specify whether the cases were among children or staff, but said they continue to take every precaution to prevent spread within their walls. "We contacted everybody that needed to be contacted. Let them know about the status," said Abilities First Executive Director Jan Sutcliffe-Brown.Sutcliffe-Brown said though mandates have been lifted, the center still follows very strict protocols."We decided the only thing we stop doing was taking temperatures at the door. Masks are still required. Not having people in waiting areas. Not having visitors in the building," she said.Sutcliffe-Brown said closing is the last thing they want to do.But they serve 150 families each week of differing abilities. "With the littles they can't be vaccinated. When they're really small they can't wear masks," she said.This classroom closure is what worries health officials ahead of a new school year. "We are concerned about the school year because not only are people coming back to school, a lot of people are getting out of the house," said Middletown Health Commissioner Jackie Phillips Carter.Phillips Carter said this shows the virus is here even though overall case numbers are down."I have to remind people this coming school year that being ill disrupts school instruction too," she said.Sutcliffe-Brown said because their center is small, one or two cases forced them to close for a bit.Families of the 60 kids in childcare must find another short-term option."We're not unique. We happen to be here and we're unique in the things we do, but most other places are battling the same things," Sutcliffe-Brown said.Abilities First would not disclose the percentage of staff vaccinated, but has recommended all eligible staff and family members get the vaccine.The Early Childhood Learning Center will reopen Wednesday, July 21.The Pediatric Therapies Program and Autism Center at Abilities First are not affected and are still operating as normal.
An early childhood learning center in Middletown closed following two COVID-19 cases.
Health officials said this is just a glimpse into their concerns for the upcoming school year.
The ECLC at Abilities First closed at 10:30 a.m. Monday after they were alerted to two positive COVID-19 cases.
They wouldn't specify whether the cases were among children or staff, but said they continue to take every precaution to prevent spread within their walls.
"We contacted everybody that needed to be contacted. Let them know about the status," said Abilities First Executive Director Jan Sutcliffe-Brown.
Sutcliffe-Brown said though mandates have been lifted, the center still follows very strict protocols.
"We decided the only thing we stop doing was taking temperatures at the door. Masks are still required. Not having people in waiting areas. Not having visitors in the building," she said.
Sutcliffe-Brown said closing is the last thing they want to do.
But they serve 150 families each week of differing abilities.
"With the littles they can't be vaccinated. When they're really small they can't wear masks," she said.
This classroom closure is what worries health officials ahead of a new school year.
"We are concerned about the school year because not only are people coming back to school, a lot of people are getting out of the house," said Middletown Health Commissioner Jackie Phillips Carter.
Phillips Carter said this shows the virus is here even though overall case numbers are down.
"I have to remind people this coming school year that being ill disrupts school instruction too," she said.
Sutcliffe-Brown said because their center is small, one or two cases forced them to close for a bit.
Families of the 60 kids in childcare must find another short-term option.
"We're not unique. We happen to be here and we're unique in the things we do, but most other places are battling the same things," Sutcliffe-Brown said.
Abilities First would not disclose the percentage of staff vaccinated, but has recommended all eligible staff and family members get the vaccine.
The Early Childhood Learning Center will reopen Wednesday, July 21.
The Pediatric Therapies Program and Autism Center at Abilities First are not affected and are still operating as normal.
Source link
