The Santa Clara County resident who was exposed to Andes hantavirus while a passenger on the MV Hondius cruise ship was under “close monitoring” and “restricted activities,” the health department said Monday.
“I want to reassure the public that the risk of contracting Andes hantavirus in Santa Clara County remains extremely low,” said Dr. Sarah Rudman, Health Officer for the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department.
“I understand that the news of an exposed individual in Santa Clara County is causing stress and worry.
“However, the safety protocols we have in place for the exposed individual, and our very close coordination with state, federal, and national disease experts responding to this outbreak, reassure me that we have a plan to respond to this event while protecting members of our community.”
Experts at the Centers for Disease Control, as well as health officials from countries where the virus is more common, have stated that individuals who are exposed to hantavirus are only infectious if and when they develop symptoms, the Department stated in the release.
High school district reviews transfer rules
Staff Report
At last week’s Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District board meeting, Superintendent Heath Rocha presented about the District’s intradistrict transfer (open enrollment) process.
This process allows students who live within district boundaries to request enrollment at a school other than their assigned school of residence.
The May 7 presentation reviewed current Board policy, the transfer application timeline, historical transfer data, common reasons families request transfers and the California Education Code requirements that guide the process.
Data presented showed that transfer requests between Los Gatos HS and Saratoga HS remain relatively small in number. Families cited a variety of reasons for requesting transfers, including academic programs, athletics, arts opportunities, social-emotional fit, transportation logistics, sibling attendance and student well-being.
During public comment, several parents and staff members spoke and requested that the board deny intradistrict transfers from Saratoga High School to Los Gatos High School. Community members shared concerns related to enrollment balance, school culture, and the potential impact on Saratoga HS’s athletic programs.
The District’s legal counsel confirmed:
-Open enrollment is a required policy districts must have, per California Education Code.
-The District is not legally able to deny a student’s transfer for any reason other than capacity (defined by pupil enrollment or capacity in classrooms).
Staff were directed to bring back the topic for further board discussion. Because it was an informational item, no action was taken.
