Southampton Elementary Closed Wednesday After Student Diagnosed With Enterovirus

Southampton Elementary School will be closed on Wednesday because a student at the school has a confirmed case of enterovirus, Southampton Superintendent Scott Farina said in a message on the district’s website.

“The health and safety of our students and staff is our first priority,” Farina said. “To prevent the spread of the virus, we have consulted with our district physician and the Elementary School will be closed to all students on Wednesday, Oct. 15 to undergo a thorough cleaning by an outside professional cleaning company. The company will disinfect the entire building and apply an antibacterial product to further prevent the spread of germs.”

Faring said the infected student, who is currently out of school and seeking treatment, does not have the D68 strain of enterovirus, which has been confirmed in five children on Long Island and has killed two children nationwide.

According to the Center for Disease Control website, every year millions of children in the United States catch enteroviruses that can cause coughing, sneezing and fever.

To help avoid catching and spreading the enterovirus, Farina said parents and children should always follow basic steps to stay healthy:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirtsleeve, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
• Stay home when you are sick and keep sick children out of school.

Farina said the plan is for the school to reopen on Thursday.

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Related:

With 5 Confirmed Cases on Long Island, What You Need to Know About Enterovirus D68

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