NHA COVID Update

New Horizons Academy (NHA) is committed to the safety and health of our students and staff, and we will do everything in our power to keep them safe! Unfortunately, not everything is within our control. As coronavirus cases continue to grow in Northwest Ohio, NHA had to confront its first positive COVID-19 result.

One of our staff members in Wauseon tested positive on October 29. Students and staff, who came into contact with that staff member, were quickly sent home from school, and cleaning and disinfecting were promptly begun. We are working closely with our local health department, and anyone identified as a close contact will be notified by them as a part of COVID-19 contact tracing.

How You Can Help
Be proactive about reducing the number of interactions that students and staff have with one another by practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart) to limit the spread of COVID-19. In addition to physical distancing, these important tools help to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wear a mask or face covering while in public places or if people who don’t live with you must visit your home.
• Avoid unnecessary gatherings with people who don’t live in your home.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Sing the Happy Birthday song twice to help know when it has been 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then dispose of the tissue and wash your hands immediately. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands, to cover coughs and sneezes. If you are experiencing cough or congestion, consider staying home and seeking medical care.
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cleaning of frequently touched surfaces with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions. A simple bleach solution may also be utilized.

For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) or visit coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the COVID-19 CareLine at 1-800-720-9616.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to call the school office at 419-335-7272. Thank you for helping to keep people safe and to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and school.