February 27, 2020
Dear St. Andrew’s Families,
As you are likely aware, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) held a press conference earlier this week to emphasize that while there is not currently a coronavirus pandemic in the United States, there are steps that the public should take to help prevent the spread of illness and plan for possible spread of coronavirus in the United States.
While the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States is currently small, St. Andrew’s is monitoring developments as part of our commitment to supporting the health of our community. We want to share with you some steps we are taking and most importantly, what you can do to keep our campus healthy and vibrant.
As always, we follow all CDC and Health Department guidelines around best practices and prevention. In order to prevent the possible spread of disease, including seasonal influenza, we ask that you follow these steps:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Washing for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread of viruses and other illnesses. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard the tissue and wash your hands.
- Avoid touching eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.
- Stay away from people who are sick. Stay home from work/school if you are sick.
- Students must stay home from school for a full 24 hours from their last symptoms of being sick, without the aid of medication (fever or signs of a fever, vomiting, diarrhea).
- Do not try to mask symptoms with medication and send students to school, as they will still be contagious. The school will continue to send home students who appear ill and should not be in school.
Our school is prepared to alter our procedures and planning should the situation change, including strategies around virtual schooling. We are also thinking ahead regarding the impact on spring travel and upcoming school trips in the context of the coronavirus. We will not be running any international trips to areas where the virus is present, and we encourage families to be prudent about spring break travel plans.
Please remember that responding to the spread of the coronavirus is primarily a task for public health agencies. The school will follow any directives from the World Health Organization, CDC, or local governmental organizations, and we advise families to do the same.
Please continue to look for further communications from us on this matter and remember to reach out to the Health Office with any concerns.
Sincerely,
Shelley Keneally, BSN, RN, NCSN
Diane M. Stewart, BSN, RN
