Coventry Schools 'Continuously' Monitoring Coronavirus Updates

COVENTRY, RI — The Coventry School District is taking steps to address ongoing concerns over the new coronavirus, Superintendent Craig Levis said on Thursday. School officials have been in "continuous" contact with the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and the Rhode Island Department of Health, Levis said, to stay abreast of the evolving situation.

"The global and national scenario involving the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing hourly," Levis said in an email to parents. "We will continue to follow any and all guidance pertaining to the Coronavirus and schools that we receive from these agencies."

The risk of infection remains low for Rhode Islanders, the department of health said, but the state has taken preventative steps to ensure preparedness. Because the coronavirus is a respiratory illness, it is spread through droplets, meaning the best way to stay safe is to take the same precautions that are recommended this time of year to avoid the spread of the flu and other viruses. These include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands. If a tissue isn't available cough and sneeze in your elbow.
• Stay home if you are sick and keep children home from school if they are sick.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of medication and you are well enough to resume normal activities.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Coventry school teachers and nurses are monitoring attendance trends and illness clusters, Levis said, to report to the state's division of infectious disease throughout the school year.

"We will continue to monitor the information we receive from the CDC and RIDOH, so that we will be able to implement the recommendations," Levis continued. "The RI Association of School Superintendents is also working closely with the RI Department of Education to determine what the plan would be if there was a necessary disruption to education."

As was the case during the EEE and West Nile Virus concerns at the beginning of the school year, Levis said he will continue to update the school community on a weekly basis.

"The health and safety of our students, staff and school community is our priority," he said.