Coronavirus: Atlanta Public Schools Plan For Potential Outbreak

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta Public Schools is taking precaution in case of an outbreak of the new coronavirus, reports WGCL. The new Coronavirus virus, which originated in China is now called COVID-19. It's caused by a member of the Coronavirus that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses .

In a statement to the news station, APS said it's “closely monitoring all developments” for the virus.

"...we take this and any other health-related concern very seriously. District officials will remain in close contact with local, state, and federal agencies – such as the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the Fulton County Board of Health (BOH), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the latest information on this disease.

In this case, many of the decisions and plans around quarantines or school closures will be led by the federal government with assistance from state emergency management officials. We have received guidance from those agencies and are incorporating key components into the District’s emergency management practices. We will provide updated information to students, families and District employees as we receive directives from local, state, and federal health officials. To stay abreast of emerging health news in APS, click here to visit our health alerts page."

If schools do close, APS says they will launch APS WeatherWise, their online learning platform. It's designed to prevent learning loss by supplementing missed classroom time during emergency management situations through technology.

The CDC says the overall risk of coronavirus to the general public is low. Still, the best way to prevent infection from this or any other respiratory virus is:

• 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.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Learn more about the outbreak on the CDC website.