March 10, 2020

Dear Glenn Westlake Middle School Parents, Students, and Staff:

A community guest who attended an evening volleyball game at Glenn Westlake Middle School on
Wednesday, March 4, 2020 was recently diagnosed as a case of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-
19. The DuPage County Health Department is working closely with school and district officials to ensure
a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors as well as minimize disruption of learning, teaching,
and other important school-based activities.

Any individual who participated in (e.g., members and coaching staff of both teams) or who was
in attendance at the March 4th evening volleyball game should self-monitor for symptoms (e.g.,
fever, cough, shortness of breath) for 14 days following the March 4th game, through March 18th. These
individuals have no restriction on their routine daily activities. If symptoms of illness develop, they should
first call the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 221-7030 (available after 9:00am on 3/11/2020,
24/7) so we may coordinate safe and prompt medical evaluation for the individual.

Participation and attendance at the March 4th volleyball game is considered a low risk exposure, since
the COVID-19 case reported no direct contact that evening with volleyball team members or other
audience members. Attendance that evening was reported to be somewhat sparse, and audience
members were not seated close to one another.

Public health and healthcare professionals have been responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease
caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected
in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States and in Illinois in recent
weeks. For the majority of people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-
19 is thought to be low. There is not widespread circulation in most communities in the United States.

Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently
among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets.
Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not
been documented. Transmission of coronavirus in general occurs much more commonly through
respiratory droplets than through contaminated surfaces. Current evidence suggests that novel
coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning
of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of
COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.

The school is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance with
recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas of those with suspected or with
confirmed COVID-19 have visited. It is aimed at limiting the survival of novel coronavirus in key
environments.
What You Can Do to Keep Yourself and Your Family Healthy

• Take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick with fever and respiratory illness; students and staff should be fever
free (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours before returning to
school. Seek medical attention as needed.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning
spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Influenza vaccination is still available and effective in helping to prevent influenza, for anyone who
hasn’t yet been vaccinated this season.

If you or your healthcare provider has any further questions, please contact the DuPage County Health
Department at (630) 221-7553. More information on COVID-19 is available at:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-
conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus, and www.dupagehealth.org/.

Sincerely,

Karen Ayala, M.P.H. Rashmi Chugh, M.D., M.P.H.

Executive Director Medical Officer