Babylon School District Closely Monitoring Coronavirus Situation

BABYLON, NY — Despite the fact that there have not been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Babylon area, school district officials announced last week they are taking steps to address the concerns of the community.

In a letter sent out on Thursday, Superintendent Linda J. Rozzi stated that the district is "closely monitoring the situation and are attending meetings as well as following guidance from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the NYS Department of Health, the Suffolk County Department of Health, other County offices, and the NYS Education Department."

On Friday, the Uniondale School District confirmed that the first Long Island man to test positive for the novel coronavirus is from Uniondale. The number of new coronavirus cases in New York climbed to 33 this week.

Related:

• Coronavirus In NY: 33 Cases Now Confirmed, 5 Hospitalized
• LI's First Coronavirus Patient Is Uniondale Man, School Confirms

"If you or a family member displays symptoms of a respiratory disease, you are encouraged to consult your health care provider immediately and to stay home," Rozzi wrote in the letter.

In Lindenhurst, Superintendent Daniel Giordano announced last Monday that several high school students who returned from a recent trip to Italy fell ill. However after consulting with the Suffolk County Health Department, health officials believe the gastric symptoms the students experienced are a result of norovirus, flu or possibly even salmonella and are in "no way reflective" of the respiratory symptoms or symptoms of pneumonia, which accompany COVID-19.

Babylon school officials are encouraging students to follow the CDC's tips for staying healthy which include:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. How long is 20 seconds? Just enough time to sing “Happy Birthday” two times through for the little ones! Also, be sure to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when sick.
• Cover coughs/sneezes with a tissue. Immediately dispose of the used tissue. Do not cover
  coughs/sneezes with your hands (use the inside of your elbow if you don’t have a tissue).

"We will provide regular updates both through this portal as well as on the District webpage as they arise, based on guidance we receive. The Board of Education, administration, and staff take this matter very seriously," Rozzi wrote. "We will closely monitor the ongoing events and protocols related to the Coronavirus and its impact on our schools based on guidance received from the Department of Health."