Shelton Schools Focus On Prevention, Education For Coronavirus

SHELTON, CT — Shelton Public Schools is focusing on properly cleaning schools and reminding students and staff about proper hygiene in light of a growing number of new coronavirus cases across the country.

Education and prevention continue to be the district's primary goals, said Acting Superintendent Dr. Beth Smith in a Friday update.

The district has installed 100 alcohol-based sanitizing stations in schools throughout the last week. Quaternary disinfectant solution is being used to clean surfaces. The district will also use devices that automatically spray a bleach-based chemical mist on surfaces in the event of significant absences.

"At the present time our focus will be educating students.This will include all schools holding an assembly or advisory period next week to address general hygiene and self-care," said Dr. Beth Smith, acting superintendent.

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Related: Coronavirus In CT: No Infections 'Yet' But 'Surrounded' By Cases

There were 241 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States, 14 victims have died as of Friday afternoon, according to John Hopkins University, which is compiling data from the CDC, World Health Organization and other organizations. There have been 101,583 confirmed cases globally in more than 90 countries with 3,460 deaths. Around 55,000 people with the new coronavirus have recovered.

Staff will remind students to avoid handshakes and high-fives and instead use elbow bumps as greetings.

Students who exhibit symptoms of illness will be quarantined in the nurse's office until they can be sent home. A custodian will then clean the quarantine area.

"I remind parents to keep your children home if they do not feel well. A child must be fever free for 24 hours or more before returning to school. It is important to provide the reason for a child’s absence due to illness so we can track them," Smith said.