ÐÓ°É

View our  prepared by our Climate & Wellness team.

CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease, identified in 2019. COVID-19 is a novel (new) disease, in that it has not previously been seen in humans.

There are many types of human coronaviruses that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses; however, COVID-19 can cause severe respiratory symptoms with the potential to become deadly.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) nor is there a cure.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person... 

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and inhaled into the lungs.
• COVID-19 can be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
• Cases of reinfection with COVID-19 have been reported but are rare.

In order to slow down and STOP the spread of the virus, you should...

Wash Your Hands Often

• Vigorously wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially while in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid Close Contact

• Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
• Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
• Stay at least six feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
• Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover Your Mouth And Nose With A Mask When Around Others

• The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• There is added protection when a mask is worn on all individuals.
• Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing, and social distancing is not a substitute for mask-wearing.

Cover Coughs And Sneezes

• Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and begin proper handwashing immediately after.

Clean And Disinfect

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, writing utensils or stationery, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Remember to also keep your glasses and face shields clean.

Monitor Your Health Daily

• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
• Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
• If symptoms persist, notify your immediate supervisor.

Staff members who test positive for COVID-19 must follow the ÐÓ°É Public Schools’ COVID-19 Communications Protocol. The following protocols are to be completed
within 24 hours of the reported positive COVID -19 case:

1. Interview the staff member to learn additional details. The immediate supervisor will conduct the interview to gather information such as the date of the positive test results, the last time the employee was in the office/school or workplace, which fellow staff members the employee was in Close Contact with on the last visit to the school/office or workplace (Close Contacts are defined as persons within six feet of another person for a minimum of 15 cumulative minutes over a 48-hour time period). This information is to be documented on the Report Directory and sent to Nurse Mallory Jones.
2. Provide staff member with Staff FAQs & Exposure Notification guidance.
3. Communicate with your appropriate assistant superintendent or chief so that they may draft a letter communicating with team members using the communication template.
4. Send the signed letter to Sherwin Johnson in Public Engagement. He will inform impacted staff.
5. Email Nurse Jones to initiate contact tracing.
6. Email Sandra Robinson in Facilities & Operations to inform her of the need for enhanced cleaning protocols.

It is very important that these protocols are followed in a timely manner. Timely reporting activates contact tracing which can help slow the spread of the virus and help protect you, your family, and your community. Curbing the spread and prevention measures can save someone’s life. Public health officials are also able to better assist us with decision making as it relates to isolation, quarantines, and school closures.

If you have questions or need additional support, please contact the Office of Climate & Wellness at (601) 960-8705.