We recently received guidance from the Commissioners of the New York State Departments of Health and Education that I will share with you.
A new Coronavirus called 2019 Novel (new) Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first found in Wuhan Hubei Province, China. This virus had not been found in humans before. This Coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and trouble breathing or shortness of breath. There are thousands of diagnosed cases in China and new cases being diagnosed in a number of countries including the United States.
What Do We Know?
Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working hard to learn as much as possible about this new virus so that we can better understand how it spreads and causes illness. The CDC considers this virus to be a serious public health concern. Based on current information the CDC recommends avoiding travel to China and several other countries. Updated travel information related to the 2019-nCoV can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china
How Does 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus Spread?
Health experts believe the virus probably spreads from animals to humans and from person to person. It's not clear yet how easily the virus spreads from person-to-person. The CDC is currently updating their information on the public website on a regular basis.
Prevention:
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this virus. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recommends the following ways to minimize the spread of all respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Symptoms:
Information to date suggests that 2019-nCoV causes mild-to-moderate illness and symptoms like the flu, including fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Are Visitors from China Being Screened?
Yes, as of February 2nd new screening protocols are conducted for individuals entering the US from China at designated airports. Pre-K-12 schools may have students who attend school and have traveled to various areas in Asia, including China. Schools may only exclude a student if a local health department informs the school that a student must comply with a quarantine order or the student is symptomatic of a communicable or infectious disease pursuant to Education Law §906.
Important Health Information for Those Who Have Recently Traveled to Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and Experience Symptoms:
If you recently traveled to Wuhan, China, and other identified countries and feel sick with fever, cough or trouble breathing; OR you develop symptoms within 14 days of traveling there, you should:
- Seek medical care right away. Call ahead and tell them about your travel and symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others.
- Stay home, except for seeking medical care.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Contact your local health department.
This is an emerging, rapidly changing situation. For questions, please contact your local department of health or the NYS DOH Novel Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
We encourage you to keep up to date about 2019-nCoV, its treatment and prevention by visiting the following websites.
Additional Resources:
CDC's dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.cdc.gov/nCoV
NYSDOH's dedicated 2019-nCoV website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus
NYSDOH directory of local health departments at https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/
New York State Center for School Health website at https://www.schoolhealthny.com/
Our school Safety Committee met March 4, 2020 to review the latest information from the CDC and adjust our plans accordingly. In addition, we are modifying our facility cleaning protocol in response to CDC recommendations.