Coronavirus Update #2 For San Juan Capistrano Community

From the Capistrano Unified School District:

February 27, 2020

Dear CUSD Families:

The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan City, China. It has since spread to other countries, including the United States.

While the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) acknowledges the “situation is rapidly evolving,” officials say the risk to the general public is low, as only one case has been identified in the county and there is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission locally. The Centers for Disease Control states the immediate risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus remains low for Americans, but more cases may be identified in the coming days, including in the United States.

Yesterday, the OCHCA declared a local health emergency. “This is part of a broader preparedness effort and will help ensure our response remains flexible and can evolve as the situation does,” the OCHCA announced via twitter. The emergency health declaration included the following statements:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on February 25, 2020 that community spread of COVID-19 is likely to occur in the United States
• Based on the CDC’s statements, there is an ongoing risk and likelihood of COVID-19 positive patients being identified in Orange County
• Based on the foregoing, there is an imminent and proximate threat of the introduction of COVID-19 in the County of Orange and a threat to the public health of the County residents

The California Public Health Agency encourages students, parents and staff who have traveled to Mainland China to stay home from school for 14 days as a precaution. Student absences would be marked as excused absences and Independent Study work will be made available. Additionally, the California Public Health Agency encourages all of us to continue taking everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including:

• Staying home when sick
• Washing hands frequently
• Covering coughs with a sleeve or tissue
• Having ample tissues within easy reach, as well as no-touch trash cans
• Routinely cleaning frequently touched surfaces
• Separating sick students and staff from others until they can go home

We continue to work closely with several state and federal public health agencies and will continue to seek guidance from the Orange County Health Care Agency and the Orange County Department of Education. Out of an abundance of caution, we are developing independent study options as well as other learning supports should these become necessary.

For more information regarding the novel coronavirus, please visit the following frequently updated websites:

• Orange County Department of Education: https://newsroom.ocde.us/coronavirus-update/
• Orange County Health Care Agency: http://www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/epidasmt/epi/dip/prevention/novel_coronavirus
• California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

We will provide further updates to CUSD families as new information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Ryan Burris
Chief Communications Officer

This press release was produced by the