Centennial Schools Preparing For Coronavirus

WARMINSTER, PA — As five schools in the nearby Central Bucks School District shut down Friday over concerns about the new coronavirus, officials with Centennial School District said they are preparing for the possibility of a local outbreak.

In social-media posts on Thursday and Friday, officials at the Warminster-based school district said they've received emails and phone calls from concerned parents about the virus, officially called COVID-19.

"We want to reassure parents, guardians, students, and staff that we are taking precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of catching any virus, including the COVID-19 coronavirus," officials said in Friday's post. "We will keep the community updated should student and staff illness require any change to the usual operation of school and school-related events."

As of Friday, there were no reported cases of the virus in the Centennial community.

Currently, custodial and maintenance staff are deep-cleaning all common surfaces in Centennial schools, officials said. They said that's normal procedure during flu season. Deep cleaning means that commonly touched surfaces, like water fountains, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures and railings, are wiped down daily, along with desks and tables.

The cleaning products used to do so combat coronaviruses, officials said.

Students and staff also are being encouraged to increase hand washing, particularly before eating or any time hands would be near their faces. On Friday, the district shared images of educational posters being placed at Centennial schools.

Staff are discouraging students from sharing items like water bottles and food. Parents and guardians also are being encouraged to keep children home from school if they are sick or have a fever.

Nurses are closely monitoring any students with flu and cold symptoms and contacting parents if the symptoms are bad enough. If any Centennial student or staff member is infected with the coronavirus, the district would contact the county health department for guidance, the district said.

Centennial School District officials attended a multi-agency meeting with the Pennsylvania Department of Health this week and a second county-wide meeting was scheduled for Friday.