September 6, 2020 Dear Mercy Parents, This weekend we learned of two Mercy students who tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately contacted the Oakland County Health Department. One student last attended school on Aug 28, and the other on Sept 3. At this time, no students or staff members are considered to have been exposed due to the infection control practices and social distancing implemented. The students are isolating at home and will not return to school until cleared to do so. COVID-19 is a contagious viral illness that spreads in the air through coughing, sneezing, and talking. Recent information suggests COVID-19 is spread by people who are not showing symptoms. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. For additional information regarding COVID-19, please visit the OCHD website at https://www.oakgov.com/health.  Please watch for any symptoms of COVID-19 through September 17th. If your daughter develops symptoms, we urge you to get her tested for COVID-19. Testing locations can be found using the COVID-19 Test Finder at https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. If your daughter or anyone residing in your household tests positive for COVID-19, is awaiting COVID-19 test results or is symptomatic, your daughter must stay home from school. COVID-19 positive test results or exposure should be promptly reported to Dean of Student Affairs, Mrs. Eleasha Tarplin (edtarplin@mhsmi.org or 248-893-3568). Beginning next week, COVID-19 data within our Mercy HS community will be disclosed at the end of each week on our COVID-19 webpage. Our current numbers stand at: Number of students COVID-19 positive: 2 (.3%)  Number of staff COVID-19 positive: 0 Number of students in quarantine: 4 Number of staff in quarantine: 1 I understand that learning of COVID-19 positive cases within our community is concerning. The Oakland County Health Department assured us that our continued adherence to social distancing, limited class sizes, a rotating hybrid schedule, wearing of masks, and disinfecting practices offer us the best chances to mitigate the spread of this virus throughout the school. As we work in partnership for the safety of our community, please encourage your daughter to also follow social distancing practices outside of school.  Please know that you will be personally contacted by the local health department if your daughter is ever considered to be at any exposure risk.  With warm regards, The Mercy Administration