Smithtown Schools Respond To Coronavirus Outbreak

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Smithtown Central School District sent a letter to parents and guardians Monday regarding updates on COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.

The district does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in its schools, it said, but officials are aware of concerns in the community about its spread. The district's team, including its senior safety officer, health office, and facilities department, is closely monitoring the situation and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the New York State Department of Health, Suffolk County Department of Health and the New York State Education Department.

The district said if it becomes aware that a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, it will immediately notify staff and parents or guardians. If a student or staff member shows respiratory symptoms, the district will follow its current practices for handling respiratory illnesses, subject to any additional guidance.

"The district has a comprehensive pandemic flu plan in place, including infectious disease
protocols that include high-touch cleaning for infection control throughout our schools, to
minimize the spread of viruses and a variety of other illnesses," officials wrote.

These are steps that students, staff and community members can take to minimize the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, according to the Health Department:

• 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. Heavily soiled hands should be washed.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.

"If you or a family member begin showing symptoms of a respiratory disease and suspect it may be COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider," the district said. "Before going to your healthcare provider’s office, inform them that a case of COVID-19 is suspected, and follow their advice."

Local health departments will contact schools if a suspected or known COVID-19 case emerges, Smithtown officials said. The district is prepared to work with any affected families and is currently looking into ways to conduct instruction remotely, if it becomes necessary.

Read the full COVID-19 letter from the Smithtown Central School District here.

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11 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in New York, officials said Wednesday.

Tensions over how to contain the coronavirus escalated Tuesday in the United States as the death toll climbed to nine, The Associated Press reported. Lawmakers expressed doubts about whether the government can ramp up testing to effectively mitigate the spread. All the deaths happened in Washington State, and most lived at a nursing home. The number of cases in the United States overall has risen past 100 in at least 15 states, with 27 in Washington, the AP reported.

Current symptoms reported for people with COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing, the fedeal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The virus is spreading from person to person, and someone sickened with the virus can spread it to others, medical officials said. There is currently no vaccine to prevent the new coronavirus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

The CDC recommends preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, such as:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home if sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.

For more information, click here.