Dedham Public Schools Address Coronavirus Concerns

DEDHAM, MA —Dedham Public Schools are being proactive about addressing Coronavirus fears in the district as well as dealing with the spread of other viral infections. In a statement to the school community, the district said there has been an increased number of students with symptoms of influenza, as well as strep throat and GI viruses in February. There are no cases of Coronavirus.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The district said it is closely monitoring the ongoing situation with regards to the outbreak and growing risks of the coronavirus. The district health services team is in regular communication with the MA Department of Public Health, who is working closely with the Center for Disease Control.

As well as staying in close contact with the DPH and CDC, the district nurses will continue to track and trend illness in every school, and travel history is always a component of their nursing assessment of any ill student.

In an abundance of caution, the district will also be closely monitoring any large group events where students will be participating, to understand any possible risks or concerns. As of now, all scheduled events and activities will proceed as planned.

In response to the increased trends in student illness, the schools have been taking a more aggressive approach in sanitizing classrooms, especially in those rooms and schools where significant illness patterns have been noted.

The Facilities and Maintenance department has purchased four EvaClean Protexus disinfectant systems to use within the Dedham Public Schools to help stop the spread of viruses and infections. The sanitizing EvaClean tool is a device used in hospitals. It provides a more effective, non-toxic, EPA-certified, human and environmentally-friendly solution that is less toxic and more effective than chlorine bleach.

The district reminds parents:

Your child must stay home from school when he/she is experiencing:

• A diagnosis of a communicable disease
• Fever greater than 100ºF within the last 24 hours off of fever reducing medication
• Vomiting/diarrhea within the last 24 hours
• Acute pain that requires relief by narcotic medications.