LBUSD Schools Closing Due To Coronavirus Concerns

LONG BEACH, CA — The Long Beach Unified School District announced Friday it is closing its schools from March 16 to April 20 due to concerns over the new coronavirus outbreak.

The closure "is an extra measure of protection to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus," the LBUSD statement said. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in LBUSD schools, but the decision to close schools was made to "help protect public health," the district said.

"We are facing an unprecedented health crisis in our community, and new information is surfacing rapidly," LBUSD said. "It is likely our community will be seeing many more cases of COVID-19 in the coming weeks and months and this will require a measured, sustained response."

The district is setting up with ways to continue the learning process, and to provide meals for students who rely on them. They are considering "what, if any," childcare options the district can extend to families during the unplanned closure.

Students should stay home and minimize social contact as much as possible, according to LBUSD. While children have not been shown to be a high-risk group for serious illness from the coronavirus, they can transmit the virus to those most vulnerable, the district statement said.

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The full school district statement is below:

After careful deliberation, the Long Beach Unified School District has decided to close schools beginning Monday, March 16. School will resume Monday, April 20. The closure is an extra measure of protection to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. We do not have any presumptive or confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in our schools, but we are taking this step to help protect public health. This closure includes our Friday, April 10 Admission Day holiday and our spring recess from April 13 to 17.

Schools are an essential service and crucial to our communities. We are facing an unprecedented health crisis in our community, and new information is surfacing rapidly. It is likely our community will be seeing many more cases of COVID-19 in the coming weeks and months and this will require a measured, sustained response.

We are exploring with our local, regional and state partners what we can do to support our students and families during this difficult time. We will be setting up ways to continue the learning process, and to provide meals for our students who rely on them. We are considering what, if any, childcare options we can extend to families during this unplanned closure.

Students should stay home and minimize social contact as much as possible to keep caregivers and adult family members safe. Children have not been shown to be a high-risk group for serious illness from this virus. However, they can transmit the virus to those most vulnerable. Public health officials recommend that families make arrangements for childcare during closure that avoids leaving children with elderly people who are more vulnerable to the impact of the virus.

We will be sharing more detailed information as soon as possible about how families can support student learning during school closures.

Additional information on the novel coronavirus is available at the LBUSD coronavirus web page.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.