Coronavirus: Hundreds Petition To Close Marin County Schools

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Hundreds of Marin students and parents are petitioning for schools and colleges in the county to close during the new coronavirus outbreak.

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 1,150 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding Marin colleges and schools close campuses and transition to remote teaching and online classes as the county works to prevent the spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

"We are petitioning for closing the Marin schools to slow the COVID-19 proliferation, and to use remote teaching and online options to continue student learning," the petition reads. "Even if this is done for just high school and college students it makes a difference. With younger students, school could be optional given parents working or ensuring they get school lunch.

"Marin County made it clear they are not going to act until a student or teacher tests positive but we know it's in the community and kids are missing school with no testing. Let's not wait for someone to become sick before taking precautions to prevent the community spread."

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Coronavirus concerns has already closed Catholic schools in the county.

On Tuesday, the Archdiocese of San Francisco announced its preschools, elementary schools and high schools in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties would shut down through March 25 after a student tested positive for coronavirus. Classes and student-related activities were also canceled, including school and community events.

"Additional diagnoses of COVID-19 across our schools are likely," said Pamela Lyons, superintendent of schools.

Read more: Coronavirus: All Catholic Schools Closed In Marin County

On Wednesday night, health officials announced two more Marin residents have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to three.

Both people were living with the person who was the county's first confirmed case. The Marin man was a passenger on the Grand Princess - Mexican Rivera cruise ship that experienced an outbreak of coronavirus.

The two people who are the second and third cases had been isolated in their home. They have mild symptoms and do not need to be hospitalized, county officials said.

"Unfortunately, this doesn't come as a surprise," said Dr. Matt Willis, the county's public health officer. "These individuals were at high risk based on very close contact."

Read more: 2 More Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In Marin County

Two more members of the same household have been tested for coronavirus. County officials are waiting to get the results.

"We fully expect to see more cases in Marin," Willis added. "Given the number of cases in the Bay Area, we will see transmission within our community. Our ultimate goal is to limit the trajectory of COVID-19."