Coronavirus Anxiety Prompts Memo From Pleasanton Schools

PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton Unified School District and 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 Pleasanton Unified School District shared an update with members of its campus community Feb. 4.

PUSD said it is working with the Alameda County Office of Education and county Public Health Department when it comes to coronavirus protocols.

"We understand this has created additional concern and stress, and the best way to address this is to stay informed," PUSD said.

Per the district's policy on illness, kids are asked to stay home if they display symptoms of a cold, fever, earache, sore throat and more. Parents are to be called if students who exhibit such symptoms at school, the district said.

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Dublin Unified School District have sent home similar notes.

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.