Two school employees in Medford were asked to self-isolate after returning from an area with widespread cases of the coronavirus. (Shutterstock)

MEDFORD, MA — Two Medford educators have been asked to self-isolate in their homes after traveling to an area with widespread or ongoing "community-spread" cases of the coronavirus, city and school officials announced Thursday. The educators were instructed to remain in self-isolation until they are symptom-free for 14 days. So far, neither person has shown symptoms related to the virus, according to a joint statement from the Medford Public Schools and the city.

The risk of contracting the coronavirus in Massachusetts remains low. The city stressed that its decision to ask the employees to self-isolate was out of an abundance of caution over the safety of students, staff and the community at-large.

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See below for additional information about preventing the spread of the coronavirus:

Information from the Medford Public Schools

General Precautions

Coronaviruses are respiratory viruses and are generally spread through respiratory secretions (droplets from coughs and sneezes) of an infected person to another person. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, pneumonia (fluid in the lungs). Information is still limited about how this novel coronavirus spreads.

General Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Although the risk of the novel coronavirus to Massachusetts residents remains low, and the risk of the flu is high, people are advised to take many of the same steps they do to help prevent colds and the flu, including:

Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching your eyes and face.

Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning disinfectant spray or wipes.

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.

Stay home when feeling sick.

Get a flu shot.

People who have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 and who have symptoms of the disease (fever, cough, shortness of breath) should reach out to their healthcare provider and call ahead before going to a healthcare facility.

What Businesses Can Do

We urge all employers to be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations. If an outbreak occurs all sick employees should stay home, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene should be encouraged, and routine cleaning of commonly touched surfaces should be performed regularly.

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers from the CDC

Travel Guidance:

On March 4, 2020 Governor Baker requested that all high schools suspend international travel for the time being. More information about student trips will be coming from the Medford Public Schools.

The CDC has stated that depending on your travel history, you will be asked to stay home for a period of 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread (Level 3 Travel Health Notice). In addition to China the CDC has named Italy, Iran and South Korea as Level 3 Travel Health Notice Countries.

Stay home for 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread, ongoing community spread (Level 3 Travel Health Notice countries) and practice social distancing.

Take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:



Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.

Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.

Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.

Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.

Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

Information for Travelers from the CDC

People who have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 and who have symptoms of the disease (fever, cough, shortness of breath) should reach out to their healthcare provider and call ahead before going to a healthcare facility.

What To Do If You Get Sick

If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:

Seek medical care. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.

Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.

Avoid contact with others.

If you need to seek medical care for other reasons, such as dialysis, call ahead to your doctor and tell them about your recent travel to an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.