Berkley School District Publishes Preventive Measures For Coronavirus

From Berkley School District:

March 5, 2020

In the past week, news and information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) has escalated concerns throughout the country. At this time, there are no reports of Coronavirus in Oakland County and no reports in Michigan. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the risk in the U.S. is low for the general public. However, this is a rapidly evolving situation. Berkley Schools will remain in close contact with and follow guidance from the Oakland County Health Division, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding any new developments.

At this time, we are urging all families to follow the best practices for overall health during the cold and flu season. The best way to prevent the spread of any illness - including the common cold and the flu - is to keep sick children home. The CDC also recommends the following:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the ABCs). If soap and water are unavailable, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick. The CDC recommends that individuals remain home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (e.g., chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance). For our students, it is our policy to have students stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the aid of a fever-reducing medication.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sneeze into your arm.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Take any anti-viral medication prescribed to you as instructed by your doctor.

Our buildings are cleaned daily, and custodians pay extra attention to classrooms with students who have been diagnosed with a communicable virus, such as the flu. We will continue our practices of cleaning and sanitizing in all our buildings.

The incubation period for COVID-19 is estimated to be between two and fourteen days. If you were in China, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea or Hong Kong in the last 14 days or exposed to someone who has been to these locations and feel sick with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should follow the steps on the CDC's website. If you or your children have these symptoms, please stay home and let your school office know so we can connect with the Oakland County Health Division.

To our families with children gearing up for an international travel trip during Spring Break: At this time we have, out of an abundance of caution, cancelled the two planned international travel trips to Italy and one to England. We are following the pattern of universities in our area and throughout the country cancelling their study abroad trips while COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the globe. Our travelers will receive a separate communication from their travel leaders outlining next steps.

Together, we can maintain a safe and healthy school environment for all learners and educators. As we receive further guidance from the health experts serving the County, State and Country we will keep you updated.

Here are some important resources to keep in mind:

• CDC Coronavirus website
• Michigan's coronavirus website
• Oakland County Health’s Coronavirus website
• CDC Protects and Prepares Communities
• CDC Traveler’s Guide
• CDC's Coronavirus Disease-2019 and Children
• Coronavirus Guide for Kids (NPR)

Sincerely,

Dennis McDavid
Superintendent
Berkley Schools

This press release was produced by the Berkley School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.