COVID-19 Updates
This page has been created to update the St. Mark’s community and provide resources regarding COVID-19. Please check back often for the latest updates.
COVID-19 The Basics
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus discovered in 2019. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Some people who are infected may not have symptoms. For people who have symptoms, illness can range from mild to severe.
COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, a flu, or pneumonia, but COVID-19 can also harm other parts of the body.
- Most people who catch COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill.
- Older adults and people who have certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
- Hundreds of thousands of people have died from COVID-19 in the United States.
- Vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and effective.
[Source: CDC Basics of COVID-19]
The Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus that causes COVID-19. It might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated people.- Vaccines continue to reduce a person’s risk of contracting the virus that cause COVID-19, including this variant.
- Vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death, including against this variant.
- Fully vaccinated people with breakthrough infections from this variant appear to be infectious for a shorter period.
More information on variance from the CDC can be found here.
Obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine for those who are eligible is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread and mitigate the risk of severe illness. More information from the CDC can be found here.
Finally, a database of FAQ’s from the CDC can be found here.
Resources
New York Times Coronavirus Information
St. Mark’s Contact Information:David Vachris
Director of Community Life
Phone: 508.786.6271
Email: davidvachris@stmarksschool.org
Adria Pavletic
Director of Health Services
Phone: 508.786.6372
Email: adriapavletic@stmarksschool.org
Laura Warren
Director of Global Citizenship
Phone: 508.786.6155
Email: laurawarren@stmarksschool.org