Sayville School District Closely Monitoring Coronavirus Situation

SAYVILLE, NY — Despite the fact that there have not been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Sayville area, school district officials announced this week they are taking steps to address the concerns of the community.

In a letter sent out on Thursday, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Stimmel stated that the district is primary focusing on the "health and safety of our students, staff, and visitors."

"The District is closely monitoring the situation and is following guidance from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the NYS Department of Health, the Suffolk County Department of Health, other County offices, and the NYS Education Department," Stimmel wrote. "The District employs cleaning procedures and uses cleaning products that help to ensure frequently touched and high-trafficked areas of our school remain clean and germ free."

On Friday, the Uniondale School District confirmed that the first Long Island man to test positive for the novel coronavirus is from Uniondale. The number of new coronavirus cases in New York climbed to 33 this week.

Related:

• Coronavirus In NY: 33 Cases Now Confirmed, 5 Hospitalized
• LI's First Coronavirus Patient Is Uniondale Man, School Confirms

"If you or a family member displays symptoms of a respiratory disease, you are encouraged to consult your health care provider immediately," Stimmel wrote in the letter.

In Lindenhurst, Superintendent Daniel Giordano announced last Monday that several high school students who returned from a recent trip to Italy fell ill. However after consulting with the Suffolk County Health Department, health officials believe the gastric symptoms the students experienced are a result of norovirus, flu or possibly even salmonella and are in "no way reflective" of the respiratory symptoms or symptoms of pneumonia, which accompany COVID-19.

Sayville school officials are encouraging students to follow the CDC’s tips for staying healthy which include:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when sick.
• Cover coughs/sneezes with a tissue. Immediately dispose of used tissue. Do not cover coughs/sneezes with your hands (use the inside of your elbow if you don’t have a tissue).

"The Board of Education, administration, and staff take this matter very seriously," the letter from Stimmel read. "We will closely monitor the ongoing events and protocols related to the Coronavirus and its impact on our schools. To reiterate: we will do everything within our power to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and visitors. Thank you for your understanding and support."