Letter: Three school systems, Sullivan County health leaders publish message for community to continue following health guidelines amid COVID surge

A joint letter from school leaders in Bristol, Kingsport, and Sullivan County as well as Sullivan County health officials are continuing to encourage families to follow proper health guidelines as each system navigates through the pandemic.

The letter, published Wednesday, outlined how the districts partnerships with the health department over the last nine months have allowed them to monitor the overall health of Sullivan County and better understand COVID-19 in addressing needs for families and students. The letter also spoke of concerns of the recent surge in virus cases resulting in substantial community spread.

Schools leaders and health officials say policies like disinfecting procedures and mandatory mask wearing has prevented the schools from becoming contributors to the spread of the coronavirus in Sullivan County, and they ask families to extend those health protocols beyond the doors of the schools to help control the spread as the winter season approaches.

The letter was signed by Bristol, TN City Schools Director of Schools Dr. Annette Tudor, Kingsport City Schools Director of Schools Dr. Jeff Moorhouse, Sullivan County Schools Director of Schools Dr. David Cox, Sullivan County Health Department Medical Director Dr. Stephen May, Sullivan County Health Department Regional Director Gary Mayes, and Sullivan County Health Department Regional Epidemiologist Heather Mullins.

To read the full letter, click here.

Photo Courtesy: School letter published by Bristol, TN City Schools on Facebook