Coronavirus Anxiety Prompts Memos From Tri-Valley Schools

TRI-VALLEY, CA — School districts across Tri-Valley have sent home notices to parents in recent days, reassuring them that students are unlikely to become infected with the coronavirus from China and reminding them that sick kids should be kept home.

The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. The virus has killed more than 630 people and sickened 31,400, CNN reported Friday.

There have been no confirmed cases in East Bay.

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Dublin Unified School District and Pleasanton Unified School District have all addressed the outbreak, notifying parents they are working with the county and monitoring the situation.

SRVUSD and DUSD took the extra step of telling parents they will not treat students differently based on their recent travel, race or ethnicity.

The county has asked people who have visited mainland China since Jan. 21 to stay home and avoid public, work or school gatherings.

Anyone with questions about coronavirus may call the county public health department at 510-267-3250. More information about coronavirus can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site.