Northshore Schools On Alert Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

SHORELINE, WA—As the number of coronavirus cases increase, Northshore schools officials are taking notice and planning accordingly. On Tuesday, all schools closed to students so school officials could coordinate a district-wide disinfection of each campus.

"The situation with the COVID-19 coronavirus is rapidly evolving," Northshore Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a recent letter to parents.

According to Reid, within the last few days, a Frank Love staff member began exhibiting flu-like symptoms and is being tested for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The employee has been directed to self-quarantine.

Following the employee's symptoms, Frank Love closed Monday to allow support services staff time to disinfect the entire school. Bothell High School closed last week due to a possible exposure to the coronavirus.

"We now know the virus is active in our community, and transmitted by people who are both symptomatic and asymptomatic, and being transmitted among those who have not traveled abroad," Reid said. "It seems reasonable that we act to minimize contact prior to further cases being identified."

With district schools closed for the day, school officials are also training staff for the possibility of remote learning in the event school buildings must close in response to the coronavirus.

According to Seattle and King County Public Health, there are currently 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County, with nine deaths so far. One of those deaths occurred in Snohomish County.

"We will direct all available resources to help cities, health-care facilities, businesses, and families continue life as normally as possible. But our best strategies depend on millions of residents actively following established disease prevention guidelines," King County Executive Dow Constantin said.

Because district officials expect a lower than desired attendance, they've rescheduled three district events that were slated for this week.

For students who do not have computing devices or internet access at home, they are asked to complete this form and so the district can arrange to loan them a computing device.