Lower Merion Schools Opening After Possible Coronavirus Exposure

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Lower Merion School District will reopen Wednesday after a deep cleaning at all Lower Merion School District buildings and buses Tuesday.

The district said Tuesday afternoon that during the day Tuesday, crews sanitized all school buildings and buses, with focus on high-touch surfaces, such as railings, door handles, keyboards, drinking fountains, and more to rid the district of potential coronavirus pathogens.

"We realize the closure presented an inconvenience to some families and we truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to protect the health of our students, staff, families and community," the district said.

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The closure was announced later Monday with the district saying tow students and a staff member may have been exposed to the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, by way of a health care provider at the King of Prussia Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Those students and staff member are under quarantine for 14 days.

>>>RELATED: Dozens Quarantined After Seeing CHOP Doctor With Coronavirus<<<

Two Lower Merion Township residents have presumed cases of the virus, Montgomery County officials said Sunday.

Montgomery County has eight cases total of Pennsylvania's 12 cases. One case is in Delaware County, one in Monroe County, one in Wayne County, and now one in Philadelphia.

The district urges families to keep children home from school if they are not feeling well or are showing any signs of illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of COVID-19 can include: fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may be mild to severe and can appear two to 14 days after exposure.

To further protect our students and staff and to encourage social distancing, the District is taking the following additional steps:

• Outside community group usage of indoor LMSD facilities is suspended through Spring Break. Some exceptions may be made for groups comprised entirely of LMSD students.
• The following events are canceled, but may be rescheduled for later in the school year, depending on public health recommendations:
  • Vertical Choir Concert at Harriton High School
  • 9th/10th grade dance at Harriton High School
  • Middle School Best Buddies Ball
• Special Education Work Experience and Community Based Instruction provided at off-site locations will be held within District through Spring Break.
• The Health Services and Curriculum teams are reviewing all planned field trips and contacting sites to see what health precautions those sites have taken. Decisions regarding potential field trip cancelations will be based on this information.
• Activity and Athletic directors are contacting opposing teams and venues to review what health precautions they have in place. Decisions regarding potential event cancelations will be based on this information.
• The Curriculum and Information Services teams are working together on plans to provide distance learning in case of an extended school closure. Please note, there is no recommendation to close our schools at this time.