Cranston Schools Take Steps To Prepare For Coronavirus

CRANSTON, RI — Following the announcement of the state's first two "presumptive positive" cases of the new coronavirus, school officials around the state are taking preventive measures and communicating with state officials to keep students safe and assuage fears. On Monday, Cranston Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse sent an email to students and families addressing concerns and offering recommendations from the Rhode Island Department of Health.

"Please be advised that Cranston Public Schools is following the guidelines provided to us by the Centers for Disease Control and Rhode Island Department of Health regarding COVID-19," the email reads in part. "We strongly suggest that you go about your daily routine as usual. We do not want children or adults to panic in this situation and we encourage good, common sense approaches to this virus, just as you would the flu."

Following the guidance of the health department, the school department is taking several steps to ensure shared school spaces are clean. Classrooms and high traffic areas have been disinfected for several weeks, a step taken each year during flu season. Buses are also being sprayed to avoid the spread of germs, as well.

In addition, hand sanitizer stations are being frequently checked and refilled to ensure they are working properly, and all bathrooms have been stocked with both regular and alcohol-based soap.

"The safety of all members of our school community is paramount, and we will continue to follow advice and guidance from the CDC and RIDOH," the statement continued. "Cranston Public Schools is working closely with city officials, as well as the RI Department of Health in responding and monitoring this situation. As we receive new information, we will keep you updated."

At this point, the main focus is prevention, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the director of health at the Rhode Island Department of Health, said on Monday. All residents are urged to continue to take steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses that they normally would during cold and flu season. These include:

• Wash hands frequently with warm water and soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if handwashing is not an option.
• Get a flu shot, and encourage those around you to do the same.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than a hand or the air.
• Stay home from school or work if sick.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, as germs can spread easily this way.
• Keep surfaces, especially bedside tables, bathrooms and children's toys clean by wiping them down with disinfectant.
• Get plenty of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to maintain good health.

The CDC does not recommend that otherwise healthy people wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including the new coronavirus. Only wear a mask if a healthcare provider instructs you to do so, the Department of Health said. Those with symptoms are asked to wear a mask to help prevent spreading the disease to others.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

Here in Rhode Island, two "presumptive positive" cases were announced on Sunday, along with a third person who is being tested. All three were part of a school trip to Europe in February organized by St. Raphael's school in Pawtucket.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 and no antiviral treatment.

READ MORE:

• Coronavirus In Rhode Island: What To Know
  
• An Outbreak Of Coronavirus Misinformation: AP Fact Check
• RI Coronavirus: 2nd 'Presumptive' Positive, 3rd Person Tested
• Pawtucket School Says RI Coronavirus Patient Is Community Member
• Cohasset Woman Quarantined For Potential Coronovirus Exposure
  
• Coventry Schools 'Continuously' Monitoring Coronavirus Updates
• Amid National Fear, Rhode Island's Coronavirus Risk Remains Low
• RI Health Department 'Closely Monitoring' Coronavirus Outbreak