Lawrence Schools Issue Statement On Coronavirus

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — After the Centers for Disease Control warned on Tuesday that American schools, businesses, and communities should prepare for the novel coronavirus, the Lawrence Township Public School District was preparing to send a message to parents this week. The district has already had information on preventing the spread of the virus on its website since January, district officials said.

"Basically, the tips are what we provide any time we remind people of steps they can take to help prevent the spread of disease," Lawrence Township School District Spokesperson Lana Mueller said. Those tips include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others;
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and throw away tissues; and
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces.

"As always, parents/guardians should keep their children home when they are sick," the district said. "They should not return to school until they have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours."

Globally, at least 80,000 people have been infected and 2,700 people have died from the new coronavirus, creating a global pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. It is spreading so quickly overseas that infectious disease experts and scientists warn there may be no way to contain it.

On Thursday, the CDC confirmed thefirst known case of the coronavirus in the United States not to result from travel to an affected region or contact with another person already known to have contracted the infection.

There have been no cases in New Jersey so far. But state officials say they're preparing for a spread of the disease across the region. Read more: NJ Preparing For Coronavirus Outbreak After Dire CDC Warning