Parent Of Shakopee Students Exposed To New Coronavirus

SHAKOPEE, MN — Officials with Shakopee Public Schools say that a parent of students who attend Eagle Creek Elementary and are enrolled in the Early Childhood Family Education program has been exposed to the new Coronavirus.

The parent was in "close proximity" to a someone who tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Monday. That parent is being voluntarily quarantined for 14 days.

The Minnesota Department of Health is leading the response to the incident. Officials will monitor the parent for symptoms associated with COVID-19.

"If the parent develops a fever, then the children of the parent will need to stay home from school," the school district said in a statement. "We are in contact with the impacted parent and will continue to monitor the situation."

The district is urging that kids who feel sick should stay home.

"Our custodial staff has increased efforts to frequently clean commonly touched surfaces in our schools," district officials added.

"Additionally, in an effort to be prepared for a variety of contingencies, the district has additional disinfectant chemical products that will disinfect and kill emerging pathogens; the type associated with Coronavirus."

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Here are tips from the MDH to protect yourself:

• Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve, and then throwing the tissue in the trash.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth ‑ with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If COVID-19 disease begins to spread in Minnesota communities, state and local public health authorities would consider community interventions such as temporary closures of child care facilities and schools, workplace social distancing measures such as replacing in-person meetings with teleworking, and modifying, postponing or cancelling mass gatherings.

Also read: 2nd Coronavirus Case Confirmed In Minnesota