The Duneland School
Corporation is reminding folks of the importance of taking commonsense
precautions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, now designated
COVID-19.
“As always,
Duneland School Corporation (DSC) nurses are using normal school-based
procedures to assess symptoms,” DSC said in a statement released to parents
on Tuesday. “It is important to note that patients with a confirmed COVID-19
infection have reported mild to severe respiratory symptoms of fever, cough,
and shortness of breath.”
DSC is encouraging
all students, parents and staff to practice good health hygiene to prevent
the spread of any illness, including viruses:
--Wash your hands
often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
--If soap and water
are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
--If possible,
cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your
sleeve/clothing only as a last resort.
--Avoid touching
your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
--Avoid close
contact with people who are sick.
--Stay home when
you are sick.
--Remain at home
until fever is less than 100¡ for at least 24 hours without the use of
fever-reducing medicines.
--Seek immediate
medical care if symptoms become more severe, e.g., high fever or difficulty
breathing.
--Clean and
disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
As DSC prepares for
the potential spread of COVID-19, it will be working with the following
organizations: the Porter County Health Department, Indiana State Department
of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and Indiana Department of Education
(Student Health Services & School Building Security).
“The DSC
understands that schools could be a prime area of potential contamination
due to the density of the population in a structurally confined area and the
increased exposure that each student/staff member may encounter outside of
the school building,” DSC said. “It is important to note that Indiana
schools are responsible to report excessive absenteeism (512 IAC 1-2-2) to
the local health department. This process allows Indiana and local officials
to monitor the percentage of student absences that can possibly be related
to an infectious disease outbreak.
What If?
If local health
officials report confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region or in Duneland,
DSC--in consultation with local health officials--will determine whether and
when to close the schools.
“Closing schools is
a strategy to stop or slow the further spread of an infectious disease in a
community,” DSC said. “If a school closing was warranted, the DSC would work
with local health officials to determine how long schools would remain
closed.”
If an ill student
or staff member attended a DSC school prior to being confirmed as a COVID-19
case, local health officials may recommend temporary school closures.
Recommendations on the scope of any such closures--a single school or the
entire school corporation--and the duration of the closures will be made on
a case-by-case basis
“DSC personnel will
work with the local health officials and other relevant leadership to
communicate the possible COVID-19 exposure,” DSC said. “In such a
circumstance, it will be critical for DSC personnel to maintain
confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by the Americans
with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.”