A COVID-19 outbreak has been traced to the Piper High School homecoming dance on Sept. 18, according to the Unified Government Health Department.
The Health Department stated today on social media that anyone who attended the dance should get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible and monitor for symptoms. If they develop any symptoms, they should stay home, according to the Health Department.
COVID symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, headaches, body aches, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or loss of taste and smell, according to the Health Department. Symptoms may be mild, and even if the symptoms are mild, individuals should stay home and get tested, according to the Health Department.
In a letter to Piper school officials, Juliann van Liew, Health Department director, stated that anyone at the dance should be tested before being allowed to return to school.
A number of Piper High students attended classes while infectious with COVID following the homecoming dance, according to the Health Department letter.
The Health Department recommended that Piper High students and staff continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID and get promptly tested if symptoms develop, according to the letter.
Any students or staff identified as contacts within the classroom setting by the school nurse should get tested five to seven days after exposure and quarantine, according to the Health Department.
The Health Department also recommended that the district have COVID testing readily available to offer students and staff. The KDHE’s statewide testing plan is available to all school districts free.