Contact: Brandon Wood

Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation

179 County Route 64
Mexico, NY 13114
BWood2@citiboces.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Nov. 5, 2020

Mexico HS student tests positive for COVID, school to go virtual for two weeks

The Oswego County Health Department notified the Mexico Academy and Central School
District on Thursday that a student at its high school has tested positive for COVID-19 and as a
result Mexico High School will move to fully virtual instruction for the next two weeks.

The Mexico High School student, who will not be further identified due to privacy concerns, last
attended the school on Tuesday, Nov. 3 and the Oswego County Health Department is notifying
individuals considered a close contact of this individual.

Anyone who has had close contact, defined as 10 minutes or more in an enclosed space, with
the student will be required by the health department to quarantine for 14 days.

Due to the number of staff members on quarantine, Mexico High School will implement its fully
remote instructional model for the next two weeks with a planned return to instruction on
Friday, Nov. 20.

“While I understand that this news is concerning, please understand that the district has been
and will continue to work closely with the Oswego County Health Department to ensure the
safety of our school community,” MACS Interim Superintendent Michael Schiedo said in a
Thursday letter sent home to families. “Our district is fully prepared to continue educating our
students and ensuring their safety during this time.”

All full day CiTi BOCES students from Mexico High School will continue to attend their respective
BOCES programs as long as they are not under quarantine.

The regular hybrid schedules for Mexico Elementary, New Haven Elementary and Mexico Middle
School remain unchanged and those buildings remain open, while Palermo Elementary is on
track to return from its two weeks of fully remote learning on Monday, Nov. 9.

The district continues to urge everyone to take preventative measures like ensuring proper
hygiene and handwashing, practicing social distancing, and wearing masks when social
distancing is not possible.
Anyone with concerns about COVID-19 exposure can contact the Oswego County Health
Department COVID Hotline at 315-349-3330.

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