As Masuk continues its second quarter, Monroe has been declared a red town. This signals that on average, there are 15 or more COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people every day for the last few weeks. Monroe has seen a sharp increase in positive cases, as the average case rate per day is the highest it has ever been. As of December 3rd, 2020, the town has 446 confirmed cases and 33 probable cases. According to First Selectman Ken Kellogg, just over half of the cases involve families and people that live in the same household, meaning that the highest risk of exposure comes from family members.
Many students have also been receiving calls from the school with news that they are encouraged to quarantine as they may have been exposed at Masuk, and to not attend in person learning for seven to 14 days.
“My mom got a call from the school that someone I sit near in one of my classes had tested positive, so they told me to stay home from school for a week. I decided to get a test just in case, so my mom and I searched for a place to get tested. We found one and both got a test, which was not at all pleasant. We then waited a couple days for the result, which was negative, and on the day I could go back to school, I went back,” said an anonymous student.
According to data from October 25th through November 12th, the highest percentage of positive COVID-19 cases falls within 40 and 59 years of age, at around 20 percent. The next highest percentage, at around 18 percent, are ages 30 to 39 years of age. Masuk’s age group, 10 to 19 year olds, make up around 12 percent of the documented positive Coronavirus cases in Monroe.
As Connecticut returns to Phase 2.1, there are more restrictions put into place to slow the spread. Private social gatherings are allowed up to a total of ten people, both indoors and outdoors.
“Being trapped in my room for a month and a half showed me how real and how horrible this virus is,” said another Masuk student who tested positive for COVID-19. Even if the risk is low for most young students, there are others in the community that are at risk, including parents and grandparents.
The CDC recommends wearing masks, following social distancing guidelines and avoiding large gatherings to reduce your chances of getting and spreading the virus.
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