Students, Staff Asked To Quarantine Over Coronavirus Concerns

WINNETKA, IL — Public health officials asked students and staff at a Winnetka middle school to self-quarantine after a seventh grader apparently become infected with the new coronavirus, according to school administrators.

In a letter to the community, Winnetka School District 36 Superintendent Trisha Kocanda said district staff learned Tuesday evening that a Carleton Washburne School student has a "probable, presumptive case" of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the novel coronavirus strain first identified in December.

The Illinois Department of Public Health recommended Washburne students and staff voluntarily quarantine themselves until March 24 — or 14 days from the last time the student was at school.

"The family is currently in self-quarantine to avoid spreading the illness to others," Kocanda said. "Please respect the student and their family during this incredibly difficult time."

Self-quarantining means keeping contact with people to a minimum, Kocanda explained. She said students should avoid playdates, sleepovers or socializing in person for the next week.

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Kocanda also asked parents to speak to their children about measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including regular hand-washing, avoiding coughing into the air or their hands and keeping their fingers out of their eyes, mouth and nose.

Those at higher risk — older adults, those with compromised immune systems and people with medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes — should take extra precautions, according to the CDC.

Public health officials believe the novel coronavirus can be spread through close contact or by touching a surface containing the virus.

To mitigate community transmission of the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends everyone avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.

More information is available from the Cook County Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Residents with questions or concerns may also call the Illinois COVID-19 hotline at 800-889-3931, or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.