Norwood Superintendent In Self-Quarantine After Potential Coronavirus Exposure
NORWOOD (CBS) -- Superintendent David Thomson is among the 11 Norwood town officials who were asked to self-quarantine after attending the same event as someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Thomson will work from home and won't return to the schools until the end of the quarantine on March 16.
He has not shown any symptoms and is currently healthy, the Town of Norwood, the Norwood Health Department, Norwood Public Schools and the Norwood Board of Selectmen said a joint statement.
Norwoods Schools will be sanitized this weekend and will be open on Monday.
"Parents are encouraged to send their children to school next week. Please stay informed and we will notify parents if there are any updates," Health Director Reiss said in a statement. "There is no known exposure to the schools and the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus remains low across the state, including in Norwood."
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Thomson said in the same statement, "I am feeling healthy and will be able to easily work from home next week and expect this to have minimal interference on school operations. The district has remained in close contact with our town health department officials and they assure me that there is no current cause for concern for students when it comes to attending school in Norwood. If there are any changes to that sentiment we will certainly let parents and the school community know as quickly as possible."
Town of Norwood General Manager Tony Mazzucco was at the same event and has been tested for COVID-19. Health officials said he is showing coronavirus symptoms. He is awaiting test results.
"He began showing mild, cold-like symptoms today and as a result, public health officials would like him to be tested for COVID-19," said Sigalle Reiss, the Norwood public health director.
Both attended a private party on March 1 with someone who tested positive for coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution, all 11 town officials will self-quarantine for the next two weeks and work from home.
"I'm concerned but not. I'm not worried. I don't want to catch it," said 73-year-old George, of Norwood. He said he is fighting both cancer and pulmonary illness. "If I get sick I die. That's the way I've got to look at it because it's respiratory."
"It's very scary trying to remain calm," said Kathy Hale of Norwood. She said she's been stocking up on essentials just in case.