Bay Shore Schools Closely Monitoring Coronavirus Situation

BAY SHORE, NY — The Bay Shore School District are closely following the coronavirus outbreak, Superintendent Joseph C. Bond wrote in a letter to the community on Friday. According to Bond, in addition to the routine cleaning by the custodial staff, the school district has started sanitizing high-traffic spots, such as door handles and railings, more frequently throughout the school day.

"In an abundance of caution, we have made sure that misters are available should the need arise. All of the school buses that service our district are being cleaned and sanitized over the weekend," Bond wrote. "Drivers will be given spray bottles to clean seats and handrails throughout their daily travels. The principals in all of our buildings will share a message with students over the loudspeaker about the importance of being mindful of basic hygiene measures. Our teachers are following up on the announcements with messages or lessons in their classrooms about the same items."

On Sunday, Suffolk County confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus. The man, who is in his 40s and was reportedly treated at Eastern Long Island Hospital and then taken to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital works at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in Peconic. This brings the number of cases of the new coronavirus up to 142. In New York, Westchester County in the Hudson Valley has the most cases by far at 98, followed by 19 in New York City and 17 in Long Island's Nassau County. Rockland County has four confirmed cases while Saratoga has two, Suffolk has one and Ulster has one. Eight people have been hospitalized, Cuomo said, or about 6 percent.

The letter also provides helpful tips to avoid the spread of all respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV, such as:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying home when you are sick.
• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
• Routinely cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoiding all travel to affected regions.